DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY NOVEMBER 24
7.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
ERNIE’S VALENTINE (best price 11-2) came from a long way back to finish a never-nearer second over tonight’s C&D last time out and providing events pan out a little more favourably for Ross Burdon’s grey on his return visit, he has the necessary requirements to go one place better.
The six-year-old got shuffled back in the dash to the first corner at the Dunstall venue 20 days ago and it meant he was looking on from last place leaving out of the back straight.
From that juncture, however, he came home with a good deal of purpose and although he never looked like he was going to reel in the al-the-way winner, Sant Alessio, his performance was still a commendable one under the circumstances.
Moreover, his time figure was a healthy one for a horse of his grade and that effort, along with his four previous outings all suggest he couldn’t arrive here in better shape.
ERNIE’S VALENTINE – 1-point each-way@11-2
8.00 WOLVERHAMPTON
SERIOUS LOOK (best price 7-2) could never work himself into a challenging position here last time out, but he wasn’t beaten far and, as tonight’s contest looks a decidedly easier one than he faced a month ago (0-75), Thomas Faulkner’s grey is fancied to take advantage of a drop in grade.
A strong-finishing winner over the same C&D previously, the five-year-old found himself in a much tougher heat in his bid to follow up three weeks later and after being held up from his wide draw, he just lacked the gear chance to get back on terms with horses kicking away off the front turning for home.
Not receiving the clearest of runs down the straight either, he ended up settling for a blob on his dance card but even allowing for his seventh of 9-finishing position, he still came out of the race with a career high speed figure – strongly suggesting he remains in top form.
The only slight concern with tonight’s contest is the drop in trip but in a race where in-form opponents are thin on the ground, hopefully he has enough in hand to offset that negative.
SERIOUS LOOK – 1-point win@7-2