DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY MAY 10
1.35 HAYDOCK
OUR CHAMP (best price 13-2) did remarkably well to hang tough for as long as he did in the Sussex Champion Hurdle last time out and, providing he receives a more measured ride here this afternoon, Chris Gordon’s inmate has a better chance of lasting out.
The seven-year-old was heavily supported at Plumpton a month ago despite taking on the might of Willie Mullins, but unfortunately for his legion of backers, he got embroiled in a pace dual over the first mile with Spirit D’Aunou and although he saw off his nearest pursuer turning out of the back straight, he ended up succumbing to the more patiently ridden Absurde and Daddy Long Legs late on.
Based on that excellent effort – which worked out well on the data – and most of his best previous runs, the son of Champs Elysees is at his best around an easy two miles on good ground and, over a track that often complements horses with his run style, he looks sure to give a good account.
OUR CHAMP – 1-point each-way@13-2
2.45 HAYDOCK
BOSTON RUN (best price 3-1) shaped with an infinite amount of promise on his first start of the season and even though he has been handed with a tricky draw for the second time in succession, Hugo Palmer’s inmate is still fancied to overcome such an impost.
Returning to the Merseyside venue for the third time, having been placed on his other two attempts, the son of Churchill found himself in the cheap seats on the short run to the first bend and, as a result, he had a mountain to climb in the final half a mile.
To his great credit, however, he managed to finish off his race to such effect he ran on to nick second close home and leaving the distinct impression he was arguably the best horse in the field, he carries plenty of hope going forward he can build on that excellent performance on finally get off the mark.
BOSTON RUN – 1-point win@3-1
3.00 LINGFIELD
A race Aidan O’Brien has won in the past, but at the same time he hasn’t been the dominant force he has been in many of the other Derby trials, so despite the Ballydoyle handler suggesting he has a strong bunch of three-year-olds based on the results in the middle distance races this term, a chance is taken on ROGUE IMPACT (best price 12-1) upsetting the applecart.
As we saw in the Chester Cup yesterday, James Owen is thoroughly capable of mixing it with the top boys on the Flat and in this son of Study Of Man, he might have a colt who can take him to a big stage.
Having his first run from his new base on the all-weather here last time out, he was extremely well fancied to overcome a 257-day break and in a race noted for a very strong gallop that resulted in an above-average speed figure, he stayed on relentlessly late on to justify the money in his direction.
Although the form didn’t appear anything ordinary at the time, the subsequent exploits of the runner-up at Chester yesterday has rather altered the initial view of that 1m4f maiden run here a month ago and with his experience of the downhill gradients on offer, the lightly-raced colt can back up the view his Derby entry is far from fanciful.
ROGUE IMPACT – ½ point win@12-1
ROGUE IMPACT – ½ point win@6-1 without Puppet Master
7.45 WARWICK
A tight-knit affair but TARAHUMARA (best price 4-1), with plenty of strong course form to call on, might just be the one with all the answers.
A very lightly-raced nine-year-old, he clearly has issues along the way, but as we witnessed here last time and on quite a few other occasions, he can be very useful when on song.
Held up towards the rear at the Midland venue last month, Emma Lavelle’s gelding was produced with a powerful run right around the outside of the field rounding the home turn and, in sustaining his effort all the way to the line, he eventually got the better of a stirring finish involving four other rivals – one of which (Mammies Boy), reopposes today.
Now 2-2 at the track, he was noticeably stronger the further the race went 26 days ago, and with today’s extra two furlongs sure to suit him well, he can maintain his handler’s excellent recent run of form.
TARAHUMANA – 1-point win@4-1