DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 29
11.55 NEWBURY
It’s probably fair to say, WHIMSY (best price 7-1) has a mind of her own, but she has been keeping company with some pretty smart geldings of late and with the decision to run here rather than tackle the boys again in the Royal Bond on Sunday the more sensible option, Anthony McCann’s mare is fancied to play a big part in the outcome.
The daughter of Charming Thought has been reluctant to line up in the past, but she seems to have shed that recalcitrance of late and all three of her runs after a break have resulted in career highs.
Her excellent running-on second to Love Me Tender (strong favourite to land tomorrow’s Royal Bond) was backed up by the data at Tipperary, and she did about as well as expected against two very smart novices in the shape of I’ll Sort That and Theflyingking at Navan last time out – especially when you consider the speed figure.
Judged on the times from here yesterday and the weather forecast for today, the ground should turn more into her favour than most and providing she consents to play ball, a big run looks on the cards from the sole Irish raider.
WHIMSY – 1-point each-way@7-1
12.50 NEWCASTLE
Zanndabad was a creditable runner-up in this race last year and arrives here in good shape courtesy of a victory last time out, but all his best form is on a decent surface and any rain, which is forecast, would seriously scupper his chances of going one place better.
OUT OF THE WOODS (best price 9-2), on the other hand, would welcome any rain and he rates the percentage call to build on his successful hurdling debut at Hexham.
The son of Ectot was a shade keen in the early stages at the Durham track but he eventually settled into a nice rhythm just behind the speed and once picking up the running rounding the home turn travelling best of all, he soon assumed command.
Staying on strongly all the way to the line, he left the impression he could be a horse of some repute when presented with tests of stamina and today’s contest should provide just the sort of examination to back up that view.
OUT OF THE WOODS – 1-point each-way@9-2
1.40 NEWBURY
French Ship is a horse I have a huge amount of time for but the one thing lurking at the back of my mind is the fact connections hooked him from a race at Cheltenham recently due to adverse conditions and with the rain set to arrive here today in fairly large quantities, conditions might be far from ideal.
In contrast, those close to LUD’OR (best price 9-2) will be less twitchy looking up into the skies and Tom Symonds’ gelding might still have a bit to play with despite being handed a huge hike in the ratings for his recent Bangor romp.
Arriving at the Welsh venue following a 257-day break, the five-year-old tanked his way through the 2m4f like a Rolls Royce and despite being heavily eased, he still managed to score by 27 lengths.
In was also a case of seeing is believing because the time figure was so good and having gone well over today’s C&D in the past, it would be something of a shock if he were to halt his UK record of never finishing out of the money.
LUD’OR – 1-point each-way@9-2 (four places)
3.15 NEWCASTLE
KONFUSION (best price 9-2) failed to complete at Haydock last time out, but it was noticeable how strong he was in the market beforehand and the way he was bowling along at the time of departure points towards keeping the seven-year-old on side.
Upsides eventual winner Top Of The Bill heading towards the first one down the back second time around, the son of Schiaparelli jumped the fence fine but pitched on landing and ended up ejecting his pilot out of the saddle.
Of course, it was too early to say whether he would have won for certain but given how well he stayed on when scoring the time before at Wetherby suggests he would have had say in the outcome and in what appears to be a substandard renewal of this contest, the lightly-weighted chestnut can make hay without the attendance of any real big guns from down south.
KONFUSION – 1-point each-way@9-2