DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY MAY 12
5.33 WINDSOR
TOP WARRIOR (best price 5-2) took a nice step forward from his debut third with a stylish victory at Kempton last time out and with the speed figure speaking very favourably of Roger Varian’s colt, he rates a strong choice to continue his progression on his first start on turf.
Too green to do himself full justice first time out at Wolverhampton, the son of Sergei Prokofiev was rather surprisingly sent off 14-1 on his next start at the Sunbury venue and, following a much better break that allowed him to obtain a good early position, he duly proved his place in the market to be all wrong.
Challenging his old rival, Hoodie Hoo, at the furlong pole, he soon brushed him aside and with just a hands and heels ride, he went on to score with an air of authority.
Time wise, he posted a decent set of figures for a race of its kind and with the fifth going on to boost the form since, this Commonwealth Cup entry can take another small stride to justify that sort of target.
TOP WARRIOR – 1-point win@5-2
6.25 ROSCOMMON
NAUTICAL FORCE (best price 7-2) and Arouet fought out the finish of an above average maiden at Cork last month and even though market favours the latter to turn around the form, that theory could easily be debunked by Johnny Murtagh’s colt.
Granted, Arouet is sure to have benefitted greatly from that initial experience, but Nautical Force ended up being quite dominant at the finish and who’s to say he won’t improve for the run – which was his first for 201 days – either.
Either way, the main feature of that race 23 days ago was the exceptional speed figure generated, and it would be a huge shock if one of the pair didn’t go on to land today’s prize.
Knowing his handler’s love affair for Royal Ascot, connections will no doubt be already thinking along the lines of Royal Ascot and at the morning prices, he rates the value call to keep those dreams alive.
NAUTICAL FORCE – 1-point win@7-2