DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY MAY 7
1.45 NEWTON ABBOT
LIGHT N STRIKE (best price 5-2) has been gradually working himself back into form of late and under ideal conditions, Emma Lavelle’s gelding is fancied to regain the winning thread.
Since the nine-year-old returned to the fray from a two-year absence, he was set impossible tasks on suitable ground but his last two performances on a quicker surface have been a good deal more encouraging.
Third in a well-run five runner affair at Ascot two starts ago was followed up with eye-catching run when chasing home Saint Segal at Chepstow last time out and with many in-form rivals well beaten in behind, his appears to be back in full working order.
Moreover, the speed figure he posted at the Welsh track was his best for many years and providing he can apply his work around the same level, the son of Leading Light is likely to have a leading role to play here this afternoon.
LIGHT N STRIKE – 1-point win@5-2
3.05 CHESTER
The first of the big Derby trials sees many varied strands of form meet in the middle and even though the official rating of CONVERGENT (best price 9-2) suggests he has a bit to find, Karl Burke’s colt may well be the one with the most scope for improvement.
The son of Fascinating Rock created a very favourable impression both visually and on the clock on his only outing at Redcar last season and he looked the part when returning to the Yorkshire venue on his opening gambit as a three-year-old.
Pressing a hot pace from the outset, he powered his way to the front three out and from that juncture he lengthened impressively all the way to the line to once again post a very smart speed figure.
Although he might not have beat a whole pile a month ago, at least the runner-up, Asmen Warrior, has gone on to boost the form next time out (runner-up to the potentially useful Skimmer) and with the physique that lends itself to think he can take his game to another level, hope is high he can more than hold his own against today’s field.
CONVERGENT – 1-point win@9-2
4.10 CHESTER
DAIQUIRI BAY (best price 13-2) ran with a huge amount of potential in a hot novice event at Newbury on his only start as a juvenile and today’s contest looks a good opportunity for him to build a solid platform for the rest of the new campaign.
Slowly away from his wide draw at the Berkshire venue, Alan King’s inmate was soon on the back foot, but he came home to such effect inside the final half a mile that he managed to collect quite a few Brownie points for the future.
More to the point, his achievements were validated further with the speed figure he posted first time off the shelf and with the runner-up, Further, setting the tone for the form with his victory back at the same venue a month ago (runs in the Chester Vase today), the flashy chestnut is fancied to follow suit and put down his marker over a trip that will suit.
DAIQUIRI BAY – 1-point each-way@13-2
6.50 GOWRAN
OFFSHORE BAY (best price 14-1) caught the eye with the way she conducted herself on debut at Cork last month and even though she faces no easy task up against several highly regarded fillies here this afternoon, Henry De Bromhead’s inmate showed more than enough to suggest she can hold her own.
The daughter of New Bay jumped quite well at the Mallow venue, but she was allowed to organically drift back through the field as the race progressed and by the time the main players had turned for home, she found herself in an uncompromising position.
However, her work in the final three furlongs suggested she has plenty of natural ability and with the way she hit the line leaning towards a filly who would be ideally suited by further in future, today’s sterner test can bring about a more positive result in terms of finishing position.
OFFSHORE BAY – ½ point each-way@14-1