DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY JUNE 16
6.48 KILBEGGAN
The handicap hurdle won by Digby at Ballinrobe last time out was a very strong one for the grade and with the form already beginning to work out as well as the data suggested, AD CAELUM (best price 9-1) is taken as the value alternative to Straight Home to fly the flag for the race at the Mayo venue.
Held up in typically patient fashion, John Ryan’s inmate was still last with a circuit to ran and although she could never land a discernible blow in the final half a mile, she was noticed doing some sterling late work to finish on the coat tails of the main players.
Although today’s track and Ballinrobe are similar in terms of sharpness, the daughter of Cloudings seems more at home over her local track and the only C&D winner in the field can maintain her excellent record at rewarding odds.
AD CAELUM – ½ point each-way@9-1
8.00 WINDSOR
PETER THE WOLF (best price 9-2) comes out of a race which gathered even more significance at York on Saturday and even though he could have been handed a better draw here this evening, Warren Greatrex’s gelding has a decent opportunity to break his maiden tag.
Despite shaping well on his handicap debut in a useful contest at Pontefract on his seasonal bow, he was still sent off 16-1 at the Midland venue but having raced prominent throughout a well-run affair, he kept on stoutly to defy his market position, finishing a creditable third.
In doing so, the son of Sergei Prokofiev posted a very smart speed figure and with the winner going on to land one of the most competitive six-furlong, three-year-old handicaps of the season on The Knavesmire two days ago, he can further boost the form of the Leicester contest from last month.
PETER THE WOLF – 1-point win@9-2
8.40 WOLVERHAMPTON
WHITE UMBRELLA (best price 9-2) could be called the winner a long way out over today’s course last time out and with the overriding feeling the handicapper could have been a little more aggressive, the six-year-old mare rates a strong choice to capitalise on the leniency afforded her way.
Too keen for her own good when tried over seven furlongs for the first time previous, connections took their medicine and re-grouped, and under a totally different approach, the daughter of Night Of Thunder came cruising through from the back of the field to score with any amount in hand at the Dunstall track.
Moreover, she posted an above-average speed figure for the grade and even though a drop back in trip requires extra attention, Christopher Kellet’s inmate arrives here in the sort of form to cope with the task at hand.
WHITE UMBRELLA – 1-point each-way@9-2