DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY JUNE 4
3.35 NEWTON ABBOTT
CHABADATIKA (best price 4-1) clearly caught a tartar in the shape of Al Salah here last time out and with the winner going on to prove the point over the same C&D next time, Anthony Charlton’s mare can gain compensation back among her own sex.
A beaten favourite the time before when bidding to follow up her previous victory on her return to Taunton, a drop back down in trip was revisited by connections and although she performed much better in all departments, she couldn’t quite get to grips with the improving winner, who had too much boot for her from the second last to the line.
That said, the speed figure she posted in defeat worked out as a career high and when you also consider the final circuit at the west country track was considerably quicker than both the 2m hurdle races on the same card, her performance deserves upgrading.
On the evidence of her last three starts for new connections, the six-year-old grey could still have more to offer off her current mark and with seemingly no obviously well handicapped horses in her way, anything other than a bold bid would be a massive surprise.
CHABADATIKA – 1-point each-way@4-1
7.30 CURRAGH
A competitive-looking handicap on paper but there is a strong possibility the winner will come from one of the two predominately National Hunt-based performers in the shape of SIXANDAHALF (best price 7-2) and Mr Percy.
Gavin Cromwell’s mare was a shade disappointing when a beaten favourite in a listed mares’ only hurdle at the Punchestown Festival but other than that below par effort, she has hardly put a foot wrong in many top-quality events and her progressive form on the Flat entitles her to go close and qualify for the Ebor at York in August (win and you’re in) – her main mid-season objective.
Although she is mainly associated with her endeavours over hurdles, let’s not forget she has a progressive profile on the level and her effort in the Irish Cesarewitch over today’s course towards the tail end of last season reads well in the context of today’s race.
Keeping on well in the final two furlongs of a well run affair over 2m1f, the two who finished ahead of her at the Kildare venue have ratings to suggest they are both genuine pattern performers, and with her previous victory at Newmarket over today’s trip coming via a very fast speed figure, a strong gallop over 1m6f should turn out to be right in her wheelhouse.
Her main threat, Mr Percy, also boasts strong form over hurdles and he could turn out to be extremely dangerous off a mark of 87 on his return to the Flat. His victory in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse when last seen was backed up by a top-quality speed figure and he looks the type to keep progressing.
SIXANDAHALF – 1-point win@7-2