DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY APRIL 24
3.47 PERTH
THE DOG THIEF hails from a stable going great guns at present and one of the most progressive horses from the Rugby base can further enhance his reputation on handicap debut.
As subsequent events have unfolded, Tom Ellis’ inmate clearly faced an impossible task up against potential Grade 1 winner, He’s On Fire, at Carlisle back in February but consigned to a more easier task next time out at Market Rasen, he duly took advantage of an ease in class.
Although made to work for a hard-fought success, the runner-up, Plains Drifter, is a good guide to the strength of the form and with further improvement expected, the lightly-raced gelding can gain the day over more exposed types.
THE DOG THIEF – 1-point win@3-1
4.45 SANDOWN
A race that often produces plenty of future winners, most notably Jack Hobbs back in 2014 and although we are unlikely to see a possible Group 1 horse strutting their stuff, COLOURBAND can continue his way through the ranks before going on to better things.
Progressive as a two-year-old, his final outing as a juvenile saw him chase home the potentially very smart King’s Trail in an above-average maiden at Kempton and he used that springboard to go one place better back on turf at Bath last time out.
Returning from a four-month break, Simon & Ed Crisford’s gelding was up against the highly touted Baltic Fleet from the George Boughey stable but despite the market screaming in favour of his main rival, he proved the betting to be all wrong.
Leading after a furlong, the son of Iffraaj set good fractions from the start and once kicking for home at the three-furlong pole, he gradually worked his way further clear to go on and record a smart speed figure.
Using that race 19 days ago as evidence, connections can be bold in their approach to this stiffer assignment and on a track that often plays into the hands of those ridden from the front or on the speed, he could take a fair bit of pegging back if the first part of the contest goes smoothly.
COLOURBAND – 1-point win@7-1
7.07 CHEPSTOW
THE KEMBLE BREWERY just lost out in a protracted dual with Cosmic Connection over today’s C&D last time out but time may tell there was no shame in that effort and he rates a very strong choice to go one place better on his return to the Welsh circuit.
The seven-year-old was coming back to the fray following a nasty experience over fences at the same track back in November and whether it was just a confidence booster, or he wasn’t fully fit, he was noticeably weak in the market beforehand.
However, despite being easy to back, he almost defied his odds with a display to suggest he remains in full working order and with the data of the race pointing heavily in favour of it being an extremely good one of its kind, it would come as no surprise to see him prove too good for today’s opposition.
THE KEMBLE BREWERY – 2-point win@2-1