DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 12
1.50 DONCASTER
Amazingly, given his strength in depth with two-year-olds, a race still to evade Aidan O’Brien but there is a decent chance FRESCOBALDI (best price 5-1) can buck that trend fresh off the back of an impressive display in the Convivial Maiden at York last time out.
Traditionally one of the informative races of its kind run all season, the overall time figure of this year’s renewal suggests it could turn out to be one of the best in its history and the son of No Nay Never’s performance in fending off a strong field deserves upgrading accordingly.
Moreover, the fact he was always up with the speed heaps even further praise in his direction and an experience such as that in a well-run environment should stand him in good stead now tackling a stiffer examination on paper.
FRESCOBALDI – 1-point each-way@5-1
3.40 DONCASTER
CAPE FLORA (best price 7-2) left the impression she could easily end up being a pattern race filly in due course based on her winning display at York last time out but with connections still willing to roll the dice in handicap company in the time being, she rates a strong choice to take advantage of her potential class edge.
Under a controlled ride on the Knavesmire from Kieran Shoemark, John & Thady Gosden’s filly dictated useful fractions to tow the field into the long home straight and despite being converged by a whole host of challengers, she batted them away one by one to score in decisive fashion.
Clearly well suited by being ridden on the sharp end, one would imagine she will be asked to play a prominent role once again and being from the family of Waltgeist, this late-maturing four-year-old should easily have more to offer both for today and the future.
CAPE FLORA – 1-point win@7-2
5.25 SANDOWN
BEACH POINT (best price 9-2), other than an excusable run on a surface he doesn’t really enjoy (0-8 on all-weather), William Knight’s inmate has really thrived this season and following back-to-back victories at today’s C&D, the hat trick looks well within his grasp.
Following that disappointing run at Kempton in July, the four-year-old returned to more familiar and comforting surroundings two weeks ago and, as a well-backed favourite, he totally justified his position in the market with an authoritative performance.
Back at the Esher venue in a bid to add to his tally, the son of Blue Point was rather surprisingly dismissed against several with sexier profiles but despite allowed to go off 18-1, he once again proved that today’s course really suits his eye.
Moreover, the way he scored and the time figure he posted suggested there was no fluke about his effort, and he would only need to rinse and repeat to feature in this similar event.
BEACH POINT – 1-point each-way@9-2 (four places)