DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 7
1.33 LONGCHAMP
The Prix Foy kicks off an important afternoon of Arc trials and ALMAQAM (best price 9-2) is fancied to put his name in the shop window for a tilt at the big one back here in a month’s time.
Ed Walker’s inmate didn’t match up to his absolute best visually at York last time out, but the speed figure suggested it was a better performance than at first glance and on ground considered on the quick side for him, his effort still warranted praise.
Previously, the son of Lope De Vega had taken the notable scalp of Ombudsman at Sandown in another smart speed figure and considering what the runner-up has gone on to achieve, there is an argument to made he brings the best form into the party.
The only question mark surrounds today’s trip but he shapes as though he may well be suited by further and having gone well at the French venue on his only other previous visit, plus soft ground in his favour, a bold bid looks on the cards.
ALMAQAM – 1-point win@9-2
4.00 YORK
DANGER BAY (best price 5-2) arrives here with easily the most progressive profile and Ed Bethell’s three-year-old rates a strong choice to maintain his burgeoning reputation.
The New Bay colt first sprung to prominence when capturing a 1m1f maiden at Hamilton two starts ago and with the speed figure and subsequent form boosts from the likes of the runner-up, fourth and fifth, it was no surprise to see him a popular choice to see off several high-profile southern raiders on handicap debut on his return to the same C&D.
The way he went through the race at the Scottish venue before staying on strongly in the closing stages to keep his rivals at bay once again pointed towards a youngster of some potential and despite the unknown of how he might react to today’s track, which can be a law unto itself, he is still taken to overcome the only nagging doubt.
DANGER BAY – 1-point win@5-2