DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1
2.50 NEWMARKET
EXPERT AGENT (best price 5-1) was noted doing some sterling late work in a similar contest over today’s C&D last time out and providing he receives a better rub of the green on his return to the scene of the crime, Stuart Williams’ inmate rates a strong choice to be more of a potent threat.
The five-year-old went into more pockets than a magician’s handkerchief 42 days ago and it was only when he finally got in the clear he was able to open up and finish off his race full of running.
In top form earlier in the season, highlighted by back-to-back victories on The July Course and at Haydock, he rather lost his way thereafter, but if the evidence of his latest exploits is a decent guide, he looks back to his best and he deserves to be played accordingly.
EXPERT AGENT – 1-point each-way@5-1
2.57 WETHERBY
THE REAL WHACKER (best price 9-2) ran out a worthy winner of this race last season and with connections keen to make sure he will be firing on all cylinders in his defence of his crown courtesy of a recent run under his belt, there is every chance Patrick Neville’s popular front runner can repeat the dose.
Although decisively beaten on his seasonal bow at Perth, the nine-year-old did keep on well to finish a respectable second to horse winning his fourth hurdle race in just eight starts and considering that effort was after a month break, he was entitled to need the run.
Coming up short in the three big Grade 1’s last season, namely the King George, Gold Cup and Aintree Bowl, it is clear he probably unlikely to have the necessary requirements to scale those heights again this term, so it puts even more emphasis on all concerned making sure the son of Mahler is cherry ripe for today’s assignment – effectively his Gold Cup.
Now Protektorat is a late defector, the door has been left even more ajar and with his usual attacking ride likely to see him on the sharp end throughout, he looks set to prove a hit with the locals.
The legend that is Hewick, arriving here following a confidence-boosting win over hurdles, rates the main danger.
THE REAL WHACKER – 1-point win@9-2
3.25 NEWMARKET
ERZINDJAN (best price 10-1) has caught the eye on more than one occasion this term and with the most notable of his performances coming over today’s course in the Cambridgeshire two starts ago, a chance is taken on Terry Kent’s inmate outrunning his odds on his return visit.
Unlike in many previous years, they didn’t go particularly fast in the early stages of the big 1m1f handicap at HQ and that meant the seven-year-old was in an uncompromising position (still in last place) when the tempo finally cranked up heading down passed the bushes.
From that point, he really began to fly and by the time he had hit the line, he had passed all of his 12 rivals towards the nearside.
Unfortunately, three positioned more favourably over the far side had slipped the field and he ended up having to settle for an honourable fourth but based on the final furlong splits, it is easy to draw to the conclusion he would have won if drawn in a low stall.
Running the last three furlongs in 35.0 compared to the winner’s 35.8, he went on to suffer even more ill fortune at York last time out, not getting the clearest of runs at a crucial stage late on, but providing things go more his way this time around, he easily has enough ability to feature.
ERZINDJAN – ½ point each-way@10-1
3.45 ASCOT
THE CHANGING MAN (best price 7-2) dined at the top table for the most part of last season and this classy and reliable performance can pick up where he left off at a track where he has gone well on his two previous starts.
Not quite at Grade 1 level behind Caldwell Potter at Aintree on his final outing of the campaign, Joe Tizzard’s charge only found one too good in the big three-mile handicap chase at the Cheltenham festival previously, form that has been boosted multiple times since.
The pick of his displays, however, came when he romped to victory in the Reynoldstown Novices Chase over today’s C&D and given what the runner-up, Leave Of Absence, did at Cheltenham last weekend, the eight-year-old still could be well treated off a mark of 142.
Cantering when departing the scene in the Badger Beer at Wincanton on his first outing last season, it is safe to suggest he goes well fresh and today’s contest will hopefully kick-start what could turn out to be another productive campaign.
Of those at bigger odds, COASTGUARD STATION (best price 40-1) has enough talent to warrant a small interest despite the slight question mark over today’s trip.
Henry Oliver’s gelding has sometimes flattered to deceive over two miles but he proved a revelation over the extended 2m5f at Market Rasen last time out, travelling strongly throughout, and it is worth pointing out he is also a former winner of an Irish point.
Despite his quirks, he does possess a useful cruising speed and providing he can be smuggled into the race without too much duress, he is easily capable off outrunning his position in the market on ground that will suit him more than most.
THE CHANGING MAN – 1-point win@7-2
COASTGUARD STATION – ½ point each-way@40-1 (four places)