DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 2
2.10 GOWRAN
TAKE CHARGE STAR (best price 5-2) left the impression he would have made a winning start to his career if receiving a better rub of the green at The Curragh recently and Johnny Murtagh’s inmate rates a strong choice to press home that view in this similar contest.
Seemingly unfancied (sent off 28-1) in what looked a strong contest at the Kildare venue, the Starspangledbanner colt broke well enough to race just in behind the speed over towards the rail, but he soon found himself in a pocket, desperately needing the gaps appear inside the final two furlongs.
Unfortunately, an opening never materialised until too late and even though he finished off his race well enough once in the clear, the dye was cast as far as winning the race was concerned.
Still, his effort must go down as an extremely encouraging one in the scheme of things and providing he has learnt enough to know what to do off the bridle, a potent challenge for top honours should be forthcoming from this promising youngster.
TAKE CHARGE STAR – 1-point win@5-2
4.30 GOWRAN
SIERRA DE GREDOS (best price 4-1) has struck up a decent affinity with today’s track in recent time and following his second victory of the season here last time out, Andrew Oliver’s inmate is fancied to complete the hat trick from the perfect platform to attack in stall 1.
The four-year-old was a close-up third on his first visit to the Kenny venue back in May and he didn’t waste too much time going two places better, scoring nicely in the first time visor a month later.
Despite dropping back down to seven-furlongs and switching headgear to blinkers, the son of Almanzor proved too good for his 15 rivals over today’s C&D last time out and considering he did so from stall 13, his effort deserved upgrading.
More favourably housed today, he does need to break well to take advantage of the inside pitch and providing he completes the first part of the deal, he should find himself in a position of strength for the long pull down the home straight – which clearly suits his eye.
SIERRA DE GREDOS – 1-point each-way@4-1 (five places)