DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY MAY 4
2.25 CURRAGH
Causeway got the job done nicely enough at Naas but you could hardly describe his victory as spectacular and it was only a handicap, whereas stable mate NEOLITHIC looks to have far more substance attached to his form, therefore making him the obvious play at the prices.
Seemingly a changed character since fitted with cheekpieces, the headgear was once again seen to good effect at Gowran last time out as they helped him focus on the task at hand.
Travelling nicely in behind the speed at the Kenny venue, the son of Sioux Nation quickened well to lead two out and from that point, he readily drew further clear, going on to post a speed figure of some substance.
The way he hit the line also pointed heavily towards a horse who should stay a mile with comfort and as we saw in the 1000 Guineas yesterday and The Derby last season, Wayne Lordan is one of the best second string jockeys in the game.
NEOLITHIC – 1-point each-way@5-1
3.35 CURRAGH
MAYFLOWER ran way better than the bare rersult suggested at Leopardstown on her seasonal bow and she rates the value call in a race that looks totally lobsided in terms of acheivements versus where they are positioned in the market.
Drop Dead Gorgeous is undoubtedly a lovely filly in the making and did it well on debut but odds around the even money mark looks decidely stingy and she wouldn’t be the only one to make little appeal at the prices.
In contrast, at least Stephen Thorpe’s filly has run well in a recognised trial at Group 3 level which produced yesterday’s Guineas heroine, True Love, and when you consider that was her first effort for the thick end of a year, her performance deserved plenty of praise.
Furthermore, she ended up challenging around the unfavoured part of the track up the inside and with the likelihood she will prove all the more sharper for that initial outing, the daughter of Ardad has too much ability to leave alone at her morning odds.
MAYFLOWER – ½ point each-way@28-1
4.50 BEVERLEY
FREDDY ROBINSON has a bit to find with his old rival Sea Master on their previous encounter here a month ago, but Brian Ellison’s inmate has gone on to run so well over the same C&D next time out, he rates the percentage call to turn around the form in their rematch.
When beaten two lengths by Ruth Carr’s gelding there didn’t appear to be too many obvious excuses but based on the data of his subsequent effort in a much better race, he clearly improved significantly on his return to the Westwood.
In a race run at a true gallop 11 days ago, the seven-year-old became outpaced rounding the home bend but once straightening up for the judge, he finished off his race to good effect, running on strongly to get within a couple of lengths of the well-handicapped winner, Naval Tribute.
That career high effort took his record at the track to read 14232342 and now back in Class 6 company, he looks destined to give his supporters a fair crack of the whip.
FREDDY ROBINSON – 1-point win@11-4