DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY MAY 18
2.00 NAAS
A tricky puzzle to solve with quite of a few of today’s runners either out of form or arriving here off a break and INDEPENDENT EXPERT (best price 9-2) could well turn out to be the safest conveyance and she deserves to be played accordingly.
Her form figures so far this season probably don’t do her justice but there can be great encouragement drawn from each of her two starts.
Firstly, her performance when a close-up seventh in the Irish Lincoln has been boosted by a whole host of rivals who finished ahead and behind her at the Curragh and secondly, her run at Gowran last time out wasn’t anywhere near as disappointing as it was at the time.
Caught slightly on heels as the gates opened at the Kenny venue, she got shuffled back into a position that spelt early danger and in a race that was ultimately slowly run, she did well to finish as close as she did, having only one behind her turning for home.
Looking at her profile from last season, it’s noticeable two of her best performances came over a mile on good ground, and providing she can jump well and stalk the pace around the inside from gate 1, Stephen Thorne’s mare has a decent chance of following up Shoot To Kill’s victory for the same stable from Roscommon earlier in the week.
INDEPENDENT EXPERT – 1-point each-way@9-2
6.45 NEWMARKET
The fillies’ handicap won by Jowddah at Yarmouth earlier this month got an immediate shot in the arm when Arabian Leopard dotted up in the first race here yesterday and SAARISELKA (best price 4-1) can take this on route to the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot in a month’s time.
Ed Walker’s filly was having her first run in a handicap at the seaside venue, and she almost overcame a 223-day layoff, staying on strongly close home to finish a never-nearer runner-up after not being in a position of strength at halfway.
On the evidence of that fine display, she looks to be crying out for further and this consistent daughter of Earthlight can follow in the footsteps of his sire and score over the Rowley Mile.
SAARISELKA – 1-point win@4-1