DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY FEBRUARY 23
3.15 PLUMPTON
Kitsilano finally got his act together at Leicester last time out, but that contest was a far cry from the one he faces here and he might struggle to repeat the dose up against ALTO ALTO, who returned to form with a bang over today’s C&D last time out.
Chris Gordon’s inmate was rubberstamped urgent when sent straight to the front at the Sussex venue two weeks ago and although he failed to shake off the useful Icare Grandchamp in the final half a mile, it was significant that the pair finished miles clear of the rest, including the strongly fancied Non Stop, who beat the smart Came From Nowhere (now rated 132) earlier in the season.
Unsurprisingly, given the gallop he set from the flag fall, the speed figure of the race was very good for the grade and with another positive ride in the offing, it will take a big effort from one of his rivals to cut him down once in full cry.
ALTO ALTO – 2-points win@6-4
8.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
Not many with obvious claims in what looks a modest race to close the curtain and it is one well within the capabilities of AKRIVOS based on the evidence of his latest effort here 20 days ago.
Towards the rear early after a sluggish start, Ian Williams’ inmate still had plenty of ground to make up on the main players swinging for home but he kept on strongly in the latter stages to finish on the heels of the first three home, offering up plenty of hope for the future.
Moreover, his overall speed figure in what turned out to be an above-average race for the grade was a massive upgrade on what he achieved in the past and providing he can piece together a performance of similar magnitude, it will come as something of a surprise if he wasn’t bang on the premises when the medals are being dished out.
AKRIVOS – 1-point each-way@11-2