DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY MAY 31
2.40 YORK
JM JUNGLE (best price 9-2) must be sick of the sight of American Affair based on their last two clashes but without anything like the calibre of Jim Goldie’s inmate in today’s line up, the course specialist can gain due reward for his consistency.
John & Sean Quinn’s inmate was fancied in many quarters to turn around the deficit from their previous Musselburgh encounter at York last time out but once again, he had to play second fiddle to a horse who went on to run well in a Group 2 affair next time out.
Either way, he still impressed with the way he travelled throughout the strongly run contest and his speed figure he achieved in defeat was right up there with some of the best in his career.
Looking at today’s pace map, the likes of Habooba (stall 13), Bergerac (7) and It Just Takes Time (9) are likely to provide him with a target to aim at on those housed towards his draw in stall 10 and it would come as something of a surprise if he wasn’t in the thick of the action when the medals are being dished out at the business end.
JM JUNGLE – 1-point each-way@9-2 (four places)
3.15 YORK
SCENIC (best price 4-1) must have delighted connections with the way she shaped on her seasonal bow at Goodwood earlier this month and returning to the scene of her runaway success in the Galtres Stakes, Ed Walker’s mare rates a strong choice to repeat the dose.
Posted out widest of all at the Sussex track, the five-year-old had to take her medicine early and meant she was in an uncompromising position heading down the hill.
However, she stayed on takingly in the final half a mile to finish a creditable second to the progressive Shaha and off a 232-day break that sort of performance was enough to warm the cockles.
Not every horse takes to the Knavesmire, so the fact she absolutely loves the place based on her three previous performances is significant and with today’s extra yardage also seen as a big plus, everything looks set fair for a bold bid.
SCENIC – 1-point each-way@4-1 (three places)
3.40 LISTOWEL
Eric McNamara enjoyed an unforgettable Listowel festival back here in September and OLORD (best price 8-1) looks set to give the Rathkeale handler even more joy at the Kerry venue.
Having just his second start for new connections, the nine-year-old showed way more than he did on his opening gambit and with the form of his effort behind Shadow Paddy boosted by the winner and the third this week, he looks to be still very well treated off a mark of 86.
Moreover, the way he stayed on in the final half a mile suggested a step up in trip will suit and he makes plenty of appeal at the morning prices.
OLORD – 1-point each-way@8-1 (four places)
4.25 YORK
For successive seasons, the London Gold Cup produced the sort of data to get the clock watchers in a tizz and ASMEN WARRIOR (best price 6-1), the first horse to represent the form, is afforded another chance to back up the view he remains south of his true worth on his current rating.
Nicely supported in the market following an excellent effort in a hot novice event at Leicester previously, the son of Saxon Warrior held every chance from three out at the Berkshire venue but propensity to lug to his left from that juncture ultimately cost him dear and he ended up finishing just outside the money.
That said, it wasn’t a bad effort in context of who he faced and, just as importantly, the level of competition he is up against today and providing he proves a more tractable conveyance here this afternoon, he is likely to take a hand in the finish.
ASMEN WARRIOR – 1-point each-way@6-1
8.30 STRATFORD
NICKELFORCE (NAP (best price 15-8) proved no match for Baskerville in the closing stages here last time out but time may tell he faced an impossible task and in tonight’s less taxing environment, Ben Case’s inmate can score for the second time at the track.
The six-year-old travelled as well as anything throughout and was still going well turning for home but the combination of not quite seeing out the trip after a 156-day layoff and up against a horse who found a smart turn of foot for the grade ultimately took its toll after the last.
Still, his effort was rewarded with a useful speed figure and with the likelihood of that initial outing doing him the world of good, he is fancied to provide Village Master with a whole world of trouble.
NICKELFORCE – 2-point win@15-8
9.00 STRATFORD
This concluding handicap looks as tough on paper as it is for a reporter to get a coherent sentence out of Cole Palmer, but HILLSIN (best price 8-1) might well turn out to be the answer to the puzzle if he can repeat his latest exploits at Newton Abbot.
Pulled up on his penultimate outing at Wincanton, wind surgery was soon initiated as a course of action in a bid to revive his fortunes and on the evidence of his display three weeks ago, what remains of his career looks rosy.
Although only third behind Al Salah at the west country venue, the overall time and final lap sectionals suggested he had run to a fair level and with the winner going on to prove the point back at the same track two days ago, the seven-year-old is expected to follow suit under optimum conditions.
HILLSIN – 1-point each-way@8-1