DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 10
2.25 DONCASTER
The race won by RUNMAN at Newbury a month ago was highlighted by a surprisingly high speed figure for a four-runner affair and with today’s contest likely to be similarly run, John & Thady Gosden’s inmate will be in his element more than most.
Golden Knight ensured the gallop was honest right from the outset at the Berkshire venue and despite being momentarily outpaced when the front runner went through the gears again three out, he came through strongest of all to score going away.
Clearly well suited by a step up in trip on the evidence of that display, today’s track, similar in nature to Newbury, will play into his strengths and the son of Frankel can follow in the footsteps of Devil’s Advocate, who took this race for the same stable last season.
Of those at bigger odds, WILD THOUGHTS has to be given some sort of shout considering he was only beaten a length by Runman 26 days ago and he looks grossly overpriced as the outsider of the field.
Similar to the winner, he was taking a step up in trip for his most recent encounter and at the furlong pole, it appeared the experiment was going to pay huge dividends.
Unfortunately, he just got picked off by a better horse on the day but given the way he travelled throughout that strongly run affair, he offers plenty of hope that he will be more of a player than his odds suggest.
RUNMAN – ½ point each-way@15-2 (four places)
WILD THOUGHTS – ½ point each-way@20-1 (four places)
3.00 DONCASTER
A race where only three and four-year-olds need apply, which casts a shadow the chances of Danielle and Fairy Glen and of the pair in the former category, PRIZELAND looks the ideal candidate for this test.
Racing on easy ground for the first time in her short career on the Knavesmire last time out, Andrew Balding’s filly impressed with the way she travelled off a very strong pace and when asked to go and engage the main players towards the business end, she came powering through from the rear of the field to score in handsome fashion.
Based on the speed figure a month ago, the four-length winning margin in no way flattered the daughter of Territories and providing she is capable of running to a similar level here this afternoon, it will take a decent effort by her rivals to lower her colours.
PRIZELAND – 2-points win@3-1
4.45 DONCASTER
MIDGHAM MAN seemed to really appreciate a nice cut in the ground at Chepstow last time out and with the speed figure he posted speaking very favourable of his winning performance, Rod Millman’s gelding may turn out to be the surprise package on nursery debut.
The son of Study Of Man failed to set the world alight on his first two starts but bigger things were expected at the Welsh venue and as his odds suggested, he made light work of his opposition.
Always travelling in a different gear to the rest from an early stage, he really opened up and expressed himself from halfway and despite being eased inside the final furlong, he still manged to win by the tune of 10 lengths.
Clearly, today’s task is going to require a whole different set of skills, but the raw basics are there and with hopefully sufficient ease underfoot to allow him to run to his best, this promising two-year-old can continue on his upward curve.
MIDGHAM MAN – 1-point each-way@6-1