DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY MAY 3
3.05 PUNCHESTOWN
HISTORY OF FASHION maybe edging towards the veteran stages in his career, but recent evidence suggests he is far from a done deal just yet and with the ground continuing to dry out in his favour, Pat Fahy’s inmate is more than capable of rolling back the years.
The 11-year-old was out of contention as far as win purposes are concerned when running out two out in the Eider Chase at Newcastle when last seen, but he was keeping on well enough to suggest he might have finished in the money and if that would have been the case, his effort in doing so would have gone down as a very commendable one considering all the ground he gave away jumping out to the right.
An excellent sixth in the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown previously, the form of the race couldn’t have worked out any better (Nick Rockett fourth) and that effort was on the back of a fine staying display in the Porterstown Handicap at Fairyhouse over 3m5f.
Third in this race two years ago, the ground was totally against him when pulled up last season but with no excuses offered on account of the conditions this time around, the son of Mustameet has a better chance than many ahead of him in the market.
HISTORY OF FASHION – ½ point each-way@25-1 (five places)
3.35 NEWMARKET
Not the strongest looking 2000 Guineas on paper but if there is to be a superstar going forward, it might well be RULING COURT (best price 4-1).
Charlie Appleby’s colt had a huge reputation prior to his debut at Sandown last season, and he duly justified the hype with a taking performance, quickening right away in the closing stages to score by five lengths.
Strongly fancied in many quarters to take the step up in grade in his stride in The Acomb Stakes at York on his next start, the son of Justify failed to live up to expectations when only third behind The Lion In Winter, but it was a performance that hinted he wasn’t quite the finished article both mentally and physically and from that point connections decided to draw stumps for the season.
Given time to develop over the winter, he came back a stronger, more prepossessing model at Meydan back in March and after settling well in behind a solid pace, he exhibited a devastating turn of foot to pull readily clear of his toiling rivals (better closing splits than 5f winner West Acre).
Reportedly said to have impressed onlookers in a recent gallop, William Buick has chosen to ride him instead of stable mate Shadow Of Light and providing he can be switched off from his potentially tricky draw out on the wing in stall 11, his electric change of gear could well turn out to be the key component in his bid to follow in the footsteps of Notable Speech and Coroebus for the stable in recent years.
RULING COURT – 1-point win@4-1
4.55 THIRSK
MON NA SLIEVE (best price 4-1) failed to follow up his previous C&D success at Musselburgh last time out but the data from the race in question pointed towards a career high effort despite his defeat and he rates a confident choice to rebound back in the right direction on his first visit to today’s sharp track.
Time may tell American Affair, who was much the best on the day at the Scottish venue, turns out to be plying his trade at a higher level this season and there was no shame in getting beat just over a length by Jim Goldie’s improving sprinter.
A horse with bundles of early pace who can maintain a healthy gallop for a flat out five furlongs, Kevin Ryan’s is back in the sort of company that he should find more suitable and he deserves to be played accordingly.
MON NA SLIEVE – 1-point win@4-1
7.40 HEXHAM
ROMEO BROWN (best price 9-2) has been heavily involved in two above average races for the grade over today’s course and with those two placed efforts taking his recent tally here to 3123, it makes sense to stay loyal to Joe Parkinson & Sue Smith’s inmate on his return visit.
Faring best of those on the sharp end of a strong gallop at the Borders venue two starts ago, the eight-year-old got caught up in similar crossfire a month later and although he ended up finishing one place worse off, the speed figure he posted in defeat suggested he had run to an even higher level.
Although he failed to see out today’s extra yardage on his only two attempt at three miles, they both pre-winded operation and safe in the knowledge he seems to breathing more freely nowadays, the son of Yeats is worth chancing at the morning odds.
ROMEO BROWN – 1-point each-way@9-2