DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 27
1.40 TAUNTON
HOLESHOT (NAP) (best price 7-2) could never land a meaningly blow in a useful race for the grade on the figures on chase debut at Bangor, but he did, at the same time, offer up some hope for the future and, in what appears to be a much weaker race on paper, Tim Vanghan’s inmate can make a bigger impact at the second time of asking.
The six-year-old was in a reasonable position heading out into the country at the Welsh venue but he soon lost his place and coming out of the back straight, he only had fresh air behind him.
Under a sympathetic ride from that juncture, he did make some belated late headway to finish a never-nearer fifth behind all-the-way winner Molto Bene and with that horse going on to score again at Huntingdon over the weekend, the form of the race looks reliable.
A horse who has made the running before, including at today’s track over hurdles, hopefully a more positive ride can yield a better return.
HOLESHOT – 1-point win@7-2
2.25 LINGFIELD
Vanderpoel is undoubtedly the class act in this field but 2m4f going uphill and down dale around a track like today’s might not necessarily prove to be his cup of tea and he is passed over in favour of GOLD IN THE RIVERS (best price 7-2), who shaped well over the C&D last time.
David Pipe’s charge wasn’t particularly well fancied at the Surrey venue two weeks ago but despite being sent off 25-1, he looked the likeliest winner turning for home.
After a scruffy jump at the last, however, he was eventually run out of the argument by the patiently ridden Kalif D’Airy but the overall time and final circuit sectionals suggested it was a still a fair effort by the son of Walk In The Park and it rates a decent platform from which to build.
As some of his sire’s prodigy take a while to mature, hopefully his babyish tendencies will be ironed out soon, and his return visit should see him put up a bold bid.
GOLD IN THE RIVERS – 1-point win@7-2
7.30 CHELMSFORD
The best race on the card looks a wide-open affair and with the favourite, Race To The Stars, having a bit to prove following a 15-length defeat last time out, there looks to be a couple of viable value options in the shape of BRAGBOR (best price 6-1) and PARLANDO (best price 14-1).
The former has raced exclusively at Newcastle so far to date and has finished no worse than third in six starts but it might well be that today’s flatter track sees him in a better light and a chance is taken on Richard Fahey’s trip down south being a fruitful one.
The former George Scott inmate was just outrun in the closing stages by the prominently ridden Nebras at the Gosforth Park venue on his first start for new connections last time out and it was another solid run to add to his collection of consistent efforts from this ever-reliable sort.
The latter needs a bit more explaining but on the evidence of his latest performance at Wolverhampton, a decent run from him might not be as surprising as his recent form figures suggest.
Held up towards the rear at the Dunstall Park circuit, Ian Williams’ inmate was noted still going as well as anything rounding the home bend, but from that juncture he received no run whatsoever and he ended up finishing full of running in midfield.
Whether he would have threatened the main players is a moot point, but it was clearly a more encouraging run than the one he produced previously and his overall all-weather record points towards him having the potential to have a say in the argument of this current mark.
BRAGBOR – ½ point each-way@6-1 (four places)
PARLANDO – ½ point each-way@14-1 (four places)