DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY DECEMBER 19
2.25 ASCOT
DANCE AND GLANCE was never nearer than at the finish in a race brimming with star quality here last time out and a run of a similar magnitude can see Anthony Honeyball’s gelding improve upon his position in this weaker race on paper.
Admittedly, Let In Rain could prove troublesome off 120 on her handicap debut but apart from that, there isn’t anything near the calibre of the likes of Alexei and Indemnity in today’s field and considering the son of Passing Glance wasn’t beaten far by those two progressive handicappers, his performance must go down as a career high.
Certainly, the data backs up that argument and being one of few in the field who has proven himself over the C&D in a strongly run race, it doesn’t take too much imagination to see him doing so again on his return visit.
DANCE AND GLANCE – 1-point each-way@9-2 (five places)
7.00 DUNDALK
CHARMING WHISPER made a bright start to life in his new surroundings over today’s course last time out and even though he faces a different kind of test over two furlongs shorter, he might have the capabilities to shift to another gear.
A five-time winner on the turf over in the UK, his record of 0-6 on the all-weather prior to his Irish debut didn’t exactly inspire confidence before he lined up to face a competitive field at the Co Lough venue but his effort in finishing a promise fifth in what turned out to be a strongly run 1m2f affair for the grade gave out plenty of hope for the foreseeable future.
Although predominantly racing over middle distances in recent times, you don’t have to go back too far to back-to-back wins over a mile and with tonight’s similarly competitive field likely to generate the sort of pace he requires, the four-year-old is easily good enough to get himself in the mix.
CHARMING WHISPER – ½ point each-way@9-1
8.00 DUNDALK
The race won by Walhaan over the C&D 16 days ago was noted for its strong speed figure for the grade and having shaped better than the bare result suggested, GENOAH rates a strong choice to score for the third time at the track.
Michael O’Callaghan’s inmate had rather lost his way in recent times, so it was hard to know what to expect when he shipped up here following a 201-day break, but on the evidence of his performance, he looked to be approaching something like his best.
Held up towards the rear, he still had a mountain to climb turning for home and although he couldn’t quite lay a glove on several of the main players, his never-nearer fourth was about as good as he could have achieved under the circumstances.
Likely to be a good deal tighter for that run, the lightly raced four-year-old has the potential to bag himself a ground saving trip around the inside with a good break and given how well he came home here last time out, he should end up being a potent threat to all at the business end.
GENOAH – 1-point each-way@5-1 (four places)