DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY APRIL 23
3.10 PERTH
TOMMY’S OSCAR has been a grand servant to connections throughout his career and Ann Hamilton’s gelding looks booked for yet another positive display in his bid to improve on his third-place finish in this race last season.
In-keeping with his overall profile, the 11-year-old has run consistently throughout the season and his latest performance in the competitive Silver Trophy, switched to Haydock from Cheltenham, was a creditable one up against many in-form rivals.
Prior to another solid effort on the figures, the veteran had proven his versatility by scoring over three miles for the first time at Kelso but he is just as effective over today’s trip and the likely strong gallop will play into his strengths.
TOMMY’S OSCAR – 1-point each-way@8-1
3.30 WARWICK
Connections of SIOG GEAL would rather the final of this series had been at Cheltenham, such is the record she has at the home of National Hunt racing, but as the recent saying goes “it is what it is” and Fergal O’Brien’s mare easily has enough class to overcome the late switch of venue.
Deserving of her perch at the top of the tree here based on the assignments she has undertaken in throughout the majority of her career, the daughter of Malinas best effort on the figures came when she chased home the very smart Nurse Susan in a quality mares handicap at Prestbury Park back in December and it is form that has stood the test ever since.
A highly creditable fifth in the big mare’s handicap at the DR two months later, she followed up that run by duking out a titanic battle with Analiese in one of the qualifiers for today’s final at Chepstow when last seen and with conditions much more favourable than what they were 39 days ago, she has bright claims of scooping the big pot for father and daughter combination.
SIOG GEAL – 1-point each-way@9-2 (four places)
4.40 PERTH
Low grade fare but there is a decent chance DEFYING GRAVITY might be able to make his presence felt in a race of this nature following on from by far and away his best effort at Newcastle last time out.
The six-year-old hadn’t shown a great deal of ability in his first three races, albeit against stiff opposition, but the combination of wind surgery, a first-time tongue-tie and racing at a more realistic level allowed him to be a little more involved on handicap debut at the Gosforth Park venue.
Despite finishing just outside the money, Andrew Hamilton’s gelding did more than enough to suggest he can win a small race and with the form/speed figure already boosted by the winner and runner-up, today’s similar contest should be well within his range.
DEFYING GRAVITY – ½ point each-way@11-1 (five places)