DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY OCTOBER 14
4.36 PUNCHESTOWN
The reapplication of cheekpieces back over hurdles seemed to make all the difference to the mindset of SIGN FROM ABOVE (best price 13-2) at Gowran last time out and with today’s ground unlikely to anywhere near as bad as it was 11 days ago, Peter Fahey’s inmate has every chance of repeating the dose.
The seven-year-old had run well on his two previous outings on the Flat, so it wouldn’t have been a massive surprise to see him feature prominently again at the Kenny venue, but to go on and win was a bonus.
Moreover, his winning speed figure was easily the best on the card and that fact was backed up by how the front pair pulled well clear of the rest in what turned out to be a proper test at the trip, was testimony to that view.
Although yet to try beyond 2m4f, the way he stuck at his task last time out suggests he will be equally well served by further and providing those exploits haven’t sucked the life out of him, he is likely to be another key player in this similar heat.
SIGN FROM ABOVE – ½ point each-way@13-2 (five places)
4.44 LEICESTER
Arctic Thunder has been an unlucky loser for this column on his last two starts, so the irony won’t be lost on me if he were to win now deserting him, but the urge to support the progressive SARAB STAR (best price 4-1) is much too great, and he is taken to back up his wildly impressive display at Kempton when last seen.
Having his first run of the season at the Sunbury venue, Jack Channon’s inmate was a warm order to defy the 340-day break and setting off a with a degree of intent, he came home strongly to readily justify his position in the market (sent off 8-15).
What appeared a mandatory exercise for an odds-on poke at first glance, developed into a time trial that compared him favourably against the clock and since that victory he has been biding his time at home in his box, presumably waiting for the right moment to strike again.
Handed an opening mark of 88, which looks workable based on the data he posted back in August, his biggest advantage could stem from being drawn over towards the favoured far fence (big advantage at the track at the last meeting) and with a good break, he should be in a position of strength throughout.
SARAB STAR – 1-point win@4-1
5.40 LINGFIELD
FORAGER (best price 13-2) ran extremely well for a horse posted out on the wing over today’s C&D last time out and from a more favourable stall position for her return visit, Simon Pearce’s filly is expected to improve on her fourth placed finish.
Breaking well to get over from stall 10 of 10 31 days ago, the three-year-old was right in the thick of the action from an early stage and, as is often the case with sprinters who use up too much petrol in the first part of the contest, she ultimately paid for those exertions late on.
Undone by the draw again at York on the turf previously, she is better judged on her victory over subsequent winner, Dan Tucker, on the Knavesmire earlier in the campaign and having also gone well on her only other previous visit to today’s track (again from a wide draw), she has plenty in her favour this time around.
FORAGER – ½ point each-way@13-2
7.45 DUNDALK
JOHNNY’S OASIS (best price 10-3) has run well on his last two visits to tonight’s track and even though there is a sneaky feeling he might turn out to be more suited to further than a mile, he is still worth a involvement to see whether he can shed his maiden tag at the 13th time of asking.
Despite not quite getting home over the extended 1m2f here four days ago, the speed figure the race produced gives a clear picture why that scenario turned out to be the case and prior to that effort, he shaped well in a better race than the one he contests here tonight over a mile.
Staying on promisingly from midfield turning for home, his four-length fourth to Punk Poet reads well in the context of tonight’s race and providing he is within striking distance at the same juncture on his return visit, Ado McGuiness’ inmate has bright prospect of closing out the deal.
JOHNNY’S OASIS – 1-point win@10-3