DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

SATURDAY MARCH 28

1.30 MEYDAN

Being a figures man, it goes against the grain to advise a horse without knowing the true worth of a run, but something tells me WONDER DEAN is going to run a big race based on my observations of his effort in the Saudi Derby at Riyadh last time out.

An inexperienced two-raced maiden heading into that competitive Group 3 on the dirt last time out, the son of Dee Majesty encountered the sort of brutal trip that would have bottomed many horses but to his eternal credit, he kept on stoically in the home straight to finish a never-nearer fourth when all logic pointed to him dropping through the back of the telly.

Drawn around the fancied Bhupat Seemar pair, Six Speed and Salloom, he will need to keep tabs on his main market rivals, who are likely to use their mile pace to try and rip the race apart, but providing he can stay in touch early, there a decent chance his stamina will come into play where it matters most.

WONDER DEAN – ½ point each-way@8-1 (four places)

1.55 CURRAGH

DMANIAC has struck up a nice raptor over today’s course of late and following a second victory in as many runs, Martin Hassett’s inmate rates a strong choice to complete the hat trick.

The son of Washington DC was noticeably well backed to overcome a 145-day break here a couple of weeks ago and despite taking a keen hold from the start, he found the necessary reserves to pull nicely clear in the closing stages in turn, landing a nice punt.

Although that career high effort based on the figures was over six furlongs, the data suggested he should easily have the toe for the minimum trip and with conditions likely to suit a horse that gets further, the four-year-old has another decent chance of adding to his excellent course stats that currently read 202311.

DMANIAC – 1-point win@5-2

2.42 KEMPTON

RESPOND is not only one of the most progressive horses in the field, but his speed figure also when winning last time out at Chelmsford sets a high bar and, providing he can perform to a similar level on his first attempt at today’s track, Andrew Balding’s gelding can continue his handler’s typically fine start to the season.

The four-year-old had been keen in many of his previous starts so it came as no surprise to see him sent to the front at the Essex venue when nothing else wanted to grasp the nettle and those positive tactics ended up working the oracle.

Although he had to row his own boat two weeks ago, he is not necessarily a natural front runner and with the likelihood that he will be asked to take a lead in behind the pace this time, the energy he will preserve will be a welcome factor at the business end.

RESPOND – 1-point win@3-1

3.32 DONCASTER

No huge surprise to find the two lightly raced, improving four-year-olds, LA BOTTE and Eternal Force dominate the landscape in the traditional first big race of the Flat season and there is every chance at least one of the pair, if not both, could migrate into group company.

The former was a massive eye-catcher in the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last season, so he is already proven in a race of this nature and having missed out on the rest of the campaign, connections will be keen to make up for lost time.

The way he shaped after a huge layoff at Wolverhampton last time out suggested he was as good as the optics suggested at the Berkshire venue 261 days prior and his display had to go down as the perfect preparation for this long-term plan.

Likely to have benefitted greatly for that initial outing, Harry Eustace’s inmate will probably get the usual balls of steel ride by head waiter Jamie Spencer but providing the son of Too Darn Hot doesn’t run into a world of trouble, he has the class to make his presence felt.

Of those at bigger odds, It would be slightly foolish not to give a bit of a nod to GALERON on the basis Charlie Hills’ gelding has run well on the three times he has faced the home straight on Town Moor.

A slightly unlucky fifth in this race last season, when he didn’t get the clearest of runs, his latest encounter wasn’t without its troubles and with soft ground to suit, he makes plenty appeal for those playing each-way with five and six places on offer.

LA BOTTE – 1-point win@4-1

GALERON – ½ point each-way@14-1 (six places)

4.20 UTTOXETER

SUNRAY SHADOW responded well to first-time cheekpieces in a strong race for the grade at Haydock last time out and it doesn’t take too much imagination to see him building on that improved performance and being competitive in this similar event.

Dan Skelton’s inmate could probably have been given a  combined total of 5/10 for his three previous efforts this season, but he managed to increase that score at the Merseyside venue with a much more promising run, staying on nicely to finish on the heels of the main players.

Indeed, he shaped like he might need beyond the 2m3f trip he encountered that day to become more competitive in future events and today’s contest provides him with an immediate chance to back up that view.

SUNRAY SHADOW – 1-point win@9-2