DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY JULY 12
3.10 YORK
Time may tell SEE THAT STORM (best price 11-2) bumped into a future pattern performer in the shape of Buritto over today’s C&D last time out and if that does turn out to be the case further down the line, Ed Bethell’s inmate ought to be going close to winning a race of this similar nature on his return visit.
Steadily progressing through the ranks on his arrival to The Knavesmire for the first time, he not only adapted to the nuances the track provides, he also managed to surpass his previous speed figure high despite his defeat.
Since that race a month ago, the form has been boosted by the likes of Faylaq and Paddy The Squire and even though he faces the prospect of locking horns with another big improver in the shape of Archivist, the data suggests he doesn’t have too much to fear.
SEE THAT STORM – 1-point each-way@11-2 (five places)
4.10 ASCOT
Mount Atlas must be respected on account of his excellent effort in the Duke Of Edinburgh here a month ago, which was yet another solid display over the C&D, but NIGHT BREEZE (best price 5-2) also brings very strong 1m4f handicap form to the table and he receives the percentage call at the morning prices.
Although no match for the rapidly-improving Plage De Havre in the Old Newton Cup last weekend, the speed figure posted by the winner suggested he had little chance coping with a horse verging on pattern class but even so, he came out of the contest with a PB that elevated his game to another level.
Prior to that superb effort in one of the hottest middle-distance handicaps run all season, Ian Williams’ inmate exhibited a fine turn of foot late on to take down a decent field here back in May and a return to the Berkshire venue fresh of the back of a run to suggest he is in the form of his life should be good enough to repeat the dose if in the same sort of mood.
NIGHT BREEZE – 1-point win@5-2
4.35 NEWMARKET
The direction of money in favour of Notable Speech ever since he was supplemented for this Group 1 has been a little bit of a surprise considering he has yet to race over shorter than a mile and at the prices he is readily passed over in favour of SYMBOL OF HONOUR who, all of a sudden has become the forgotten horse of the race.
Since being gelding, Charlie Appleby’s grey is unbeaten over six furlongs in four starts and although the bare bones of his Group 2 victory at Haydock wouldn’t be good enough in the context of what is required for today’s test, the fact he did a lot wrong at the Merseyside venue and yet still won bodes well in his bid to find the necessary improvement needed.
The other key and most important factor, however, is today’s likely fast ground is very much in his favour and with a stride length to suggest he uses himself better on a slick surface than most of horses in the field, he may well turn out to be the best of the Godolphin-owned trio.
SYMBOL OF HONOUR – 1-point each-way@9-1 (four places)
5.30 CHESTER
The official ratings say EXCELLENT BELIEVE (best price 6-1) has more chance of winning here than Aryna Sabalenka has of keeping quiet on a tennis court, but he has shown in his last two victories he has the potential to migrate into a better class of race and at the prices, he is worth a small risk to find out whether that theory turns out to be the case.
The first sign he could well turn out to be above average was at Nottingham two starts ago when he trounced the useful River King by a wide margin and although he wasn’t quite so impressive as his odds suggested he might be at Newcastle last time out, his victory was still comfortable enough.
Clearly a horse with plenty of natural pace, a view backed up by his speed figures, he has the perfect draw to attack the race head on and he could turn out to be tricky to pass if he gets into a good early rhythm.
EXVCELLENT BELIEVE – 1-points each-way@6-1
6.45 SALISBURY
PALIO DI SIENA (best price 10-3) ran remarkably well for a horse completely unfancied on his debut at Ffos Las 20 days ago and with just normal improvement, Jamie Osbourne’s inmate easily has what it takes to get off the mark at the second time of asking.
The son of Sioux Nation impressed with the way he travelled throughout a contest run at a brisk pace and it took plenty of powers of persuasion to get favourite Arctic Dawn to finally go passed him in the closing stages.
A big, strapping type with a physique to suggest he is going to progress nicely through the sands of time, stall one and a positive ride can see him fulfil that potential a little earlier than first anticipated.
PALIO DI SIENA – 1-point win@10-3