DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY AUGUST 31
3.05 RIPON
There was a lot to admire about the way PURE MINT strode out to a convincing success on his debut over today’s C&D a month ago and despite the son of Minzaal being the most inexperienced runner in the field, he might have the sufficient amount of class to offset that slight negative.
Simon & Ed Crisford’s inmate was noticeably well touted before heading in the direction of the Yorkshire venue and he never gave his legion of supporters too many anxious moments.
Soon chasing the pace set by previous winner Towelontheterrace, he looked comfortable going the strong gallop through the early stages and once picking the running over two furlongs out, he quickened right away for a taking victory.
Posting a speed figure which suggested he belongs in a higher grade, he now gets the chance to put that theory to the test and in a race that his stable have enjoyed significant success in recent times, the 60k breeze-up purchase can follow in the footsteps of Soldier’s Heart, Flotus, Bahrain Pride and Sporting Chance.
PURE MINT – 1-point win@9-4
7.25 ROSCOMMON
It has been a while between drinks as far as THYER is concerned but he is most definitely trending in the right direction and his wait for rejoining the winner’s enclosure is fancied to end in this competitive 1m4f handicap.
The five-year-old had been chugging along not going anywhere fast for quite some time until the first-time visor rekindled his enthusiasm at Galway two starts ago and he went on to back up that improved effort with another solid performance at The Curragh last time out.
In a well-run affair at the Kildare venue, the son of Gleneagles had the misfortune to bump into a very brave front runner in the shape of Liberation Date, but he did keep on stoically all the way to the line and his speed figure in defeat was by some way a career high.
Why the headgear, which has worked for the last two runs, has been removed is the only slightly puzzling question to answer, but on pure form, Maurice Ahern’s gelding has a golden opportunity to end the drought.
THYER – ½ point each-way@13-2 (five places)