DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY JANUARY 18
1.10 THURLES
A race dominated by Messrs Mullins and Elliott over the years and with the overriding theme of the latter holding sway in most of the big novice events so far this season, a chance is taken on SEPT ETOILES keeping the same trend going.
The son of Doctor Dino shaped nicely on his hurdles debut at Down Royal back in November and returning to the same venue, he found the necessary strides forward to win at the second of asking, in the process, clocking a useful speed figure.
In emulating stable mate Gerri Colombe in the north, he sets himself up nicely in a bid to follow the same path and claim this notable prize and with the prospect of more to come over today’s extra yardage, the chestnut is good enough to give it a good shot.
SEPT ETOLIES – 1-point win@4-1
1.50 WINDSOR
Mirabad ran perfectly well in a Grade 2 at Kempton last time out, but he ostensibly would prefer slightly better ground that what he encounters today and for that reason, the vote goes in the direction of HIGHLANDS LEGACY.
Jonjo & Aj O’Neill’s inmate made a bright start to his chasing career with a smooth success at Worcester back in October and although he hasn’t added to that tally in two runs since, both performances have been creditable in much better races.
Chasing the massive-improving Mambonumberfive home at Aintree has been boosted by the winner subsequently and there was no shame in filling out the same position behind Mighty Bandit at Newbury last time out.
On each occasion, the speed figures have pointed towards the son of Kayf Tara running to a very high level for the grade and he can go a long way to make up for a couple of near misses for his stable over the Winter Millions weekend.
HIGHLANDS LEGACY – 1-point win@2-1
2.40 FAKENHAM
GAZETTE BOURGEOISE burst back into life over today’s C&D last time out and it was a performance that sets her up nicely for a crack at a race she was fourth in last season.
Ben Case’s mare didn’t offer a great deal on her first outing of the season at Wincanton but buoyed by the return to her happy hunting ground, she was a totally different proposition 28 days ago and her wide-margin victory took her overall record at the Suffolk venue to 3141.
Looking back to last year’s tilt at this valuable mares’ prize, the ground she gave away at the start proved her undoing in her bid to try and keep up with Telepathique but it was another effort to suggest this sharp track suits her well and a better beginning this time should result in her improving her finishing position this time around.
GAZETTE BOURGEOISE – 1-point each-way@6-1