DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY MAY 19
6.50 WINDSOR
There’s a strong case to be made TOCA MADERA (best price 7-2) was up against a pattern level opponent in the shape of American Affair at York last week and if that does prove to be the outcome further down the line, Brian Meehan’s inmate should be up to taking care of tonight’s field if he can run to a similar standard.
Like many involved in that strongly run five-furlong affair on the Knavesmire, the son of Bated Breath struggled to go the early speed down to halfway but from that juncture, he kept on in game fashion all the way to the line and there was no shame in getting beaten just over a length by a horse who posted another big speed figure.
A winner of his only previous outing over tonight’s course, albeit over six furlongs, the four-year-old has proven himself over the minimum trip in the interim and with nice, clear run down the outside from stall eight, he can lay down a claim for career win number three.
TOCA MADERA – 1-point win@7-2
7.20 WINDSOR
One of the endearing features of the last year or so has been the steady stream of winners for Henrietta Knight since throwing her cap back in the ring with a trainer’s license and EDUCATOR (best price 10-1), one of her more notable successes on the Flat, is worth a roll of the dice to see if he can translate his good form on the all-weather back to the turf.
The six-year-old has shaped well on several times over jumps during the winter but despite getting himself into apposition where he was potentially ready to crack on in handicaps, connections decided to give him a wind operation and revert to the Flat.
Sent off the complete outsider of the nine-strong field at Lingfield and up against many in-form rivals, the son of Deep Impact defied his position on the market with a commanding display and with the time figure of the race suggesting there was no fluke about his performance, there’s every reason to believe he has done well to escape with just a slight adjustment in his handicap mark.
Rated 93 in his prime when trained by William Haggas, he also ran well on his only start over tonight’s C&D in the past and hailing from a yard ticking along nicely in recent weeks (one winner and three placed from last four runners), confidence is high he can outrun his morning odds now he can breathe more clearly.
EDUCATOR – ½ point each-way@10-1
9.00 WOLVERHAMPTON
NOVAK (best price 4-1) has a fine body of work over today’s course and following another successful raid to the Midland circuit last time out, Ian Jardine’s gelding looks in the sort of mood to make a bold bid at career win number 10.
Victory for the six-year-old grey a month ago meant he has now won his last two starts over today’s C&D and with the figure suggesting he took his game to another level, the opportunity for him to still be eligible for Class 5 events is seen as a bonus.
Moreover, he looks sure to get the pace he requires to perform at his best with old rival Harbour Vision in the field and with normal luck in running, he should be a danger to all at the business end.
NOVAK – 1-point each-way@4-1