DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY AUGUST 8
6.30 NEWMARKET
The two-year-old novice event at Windsor won by Rydale Frosty a month ago was noted for its strong speed figure and, with the winner going to endorse the form at Goodwood last week, ELAN D’OR (best price 14-1) could well fly the same flag himself on his second start.
Unfancied on his debut at the Berkshire venue, Stuart Williams’ inmate was in no mood to upset that opinion through the early stages as he trailed the field by some considerable margin but to his great credit, he did finish off his race quite strongly and, in the end, it wasn’t a bad effort under the circumstances.
Running the last three furlongs in the same time as the winner (33.9), he more than suggested he has his fair share of ability and although he still remains a difficult one to assess with regards landing a race of this nature (could be a nursery project), he might not be the forlorn hope the market indicates if a little more mentally switched on this time around.
ELAN D’OR – ½ point each-way@14-1
7.05 NEWMARKET
There has been a pronounced bias on the straight track at York for quite some time now and, as a result, it is always worth noting those who perform beyond their station after being draw high and race towards the nearside rail.
RAATEA (best price 10-1) falls into that category following his latest exploits on the Knavesmire and now back to the scene of one of his four career victories, Julie Camacho’s inmate can make the long trip from his Yorkshire base a fruitful exercise.
Housed in stall 16 in a competitive six-furlong sprint handicap 14 days ago, the eight-year-old was held up towards the rear in the early stages but despite being switched to race on the unfavoured part of the track, he made noticeable late headway right up against the stands side fence to finish a never-nearer seventh.
Considering that was his first run for 274 days, there is a good chance he will come on for the run and having gone well on most of his previous visits to either the Rowley Mile or July courses here at HQ, he is fancied to take advantage of his tumbling mark (has won off 90 over today’s C&D).
RAATEA – ½ point each-way@10-1 (four places)
8.14 NEWMARKET
CHARMING WHISPER (best price 6-1) isn’t the most consistent performer, but he does tend to go well when presented with the right opportunity and tonight’s contest looks an ideal one to showcase his true worth.
Tried over 1m4f here last time out, the steady early tempo caused him to over race in the rear and even though he worked himself into a challenging position two out, he ultimately ran out of steam once those initial exertions kicked in.
A similar hold-up ride at Sandown previously was also likely to end in failure but at Yarmouth the time before, everything panned out perfectly and he was able to register career win number four.
On the evidence of that effort, 1m2f against Class 5 opposition seems to suit him best and tonight’s big fish in a small pond scenario should see Charlie McBride’s inmate go close in his bid to follow up his stable’s winner two days ago.
CHARMING WHISPER – ½ point each-way@6-1