DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY MAY 29
3.50 RIPON
HAVE SECRET (best price 7-2) ran right up to best form in a hot handicap at York last time out and another strong performance should be forthcoming heading back in the direction of his previous impressive C&D win.
It was rather unsurprisingly that he succumbed to two late closers on the Knavesmire considering he had to use up valuable early petrol to get over from his wide draw (stall 13 of 13) but even so, his performance in finishing a creditable third was still rewarded with a very healthy speed figure – right up there with his career best.
Prior to that excellent display, Richard Fahey’s gelding had totally blown away his eight rivals on his first ever visit to today’s track, once again, extremely good on the data, and with a similarly measured ride to the one he received that day, the in-form chestnut has golden opportunity for career win number four.
HAVE SECRET – 1-point each-way@7-2 (four places)
7.12 LIMERICK
SHADOW PADDY (best price 9-2) had the form of his recent Tipperary win boosted by Onebrightbluerose yesterday and representing a yard that does particularly well at tonight’s track, Eion McCarthy’s inmate has all the right credentials to follow up.
The five-year-old didn’t head into the contest at the Limerick Junction venue with any great expectations but the addition of the first-time tongue-tie clearly worked its magic and, after travelling strongly throughout, he powered his way to the front at the last and won going away.
In doing so, he posted a useful set of numbers for the grade and with his trainer citing the son of Shadow Gate is a stronger and more mature model to the one he was a year ago, the lightly raced gelding may have even more to offer off what still appears a workable mark.
SHADOW PADDY – 1-point each-way@9-2 (five places)
7.35 SANDOWN
A cracking Brigadier Gerard both in terms of quality and numerical size and despite having slight questions to answer over the trip, a chance is taken on CICERO’S GIFT (best price 12-1) making his presence felt.
After a bright beginning, Charlie Hills’ inmate was disappointing on his final four starts last season and, as a result, drastic measures were taken in a bid to try and revive his fortunes.
Arriving at today’s track following wind surgery and being gelded, the five-year-old was given plenty of time to find his feet up against a bunch of quality milers and although he was never able to make up the lost deficit (10 lengths last at halfway), he finished off his race with plenty of encouragement for the future.
Indeed, it’s worth pointing out his closing final three-furlong sectional of 36.4 was 0.4 quicker than one of today’s main players, Almaqam, from the same juncture and when you also consider the race in question produced the 1-2 in the Lockinge subsequently, it’s easy to make the case for him having arguably the strongest recent form in tonight’s field.
Obviously, he must prove himself just as effective beyond a mile but given the way he hit the line here 34 days ago, there’s more than a fair chance he will and at the morning odds, he is worth a small risk to find out.
CICERO’S GIFT – ½ point each-way@12-1