DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY DECEMBER 16
2.00 NEWBURY
Act Of Innocence is arguably one of the best UK novices we have seen so far this season and having gone well for a long way in a race run at a sound gallop at Newbury, CONSTELLATION WALK (best price 10-1) showed enough ability to warrant a small interest in this weaker race on paper (Swingin Safari is miles off a Supreme horse).
Keen on his debut over hurdles at Sandown, he still ran well enough behind subsequent listed hurdle winner Hurricane Pat and time may tell he faced a horse of even greater ability at the Berkshire venue.
Once again, dropped right out the back in a bid to switch him off, Harry Fry’s inmate made stealthy headway to race on the heels of the leaders turning for home and by the time he had reached the last, he was only a couple of lengths behind the eventual winner.
True to the science, his effort in making up the huge deficit (roughly 20 lengths) took its toll late on but the way he moved through the race suggested he has plenty of natural talent and providing his exuberance can be harnessed in the correct manner, he should end up having a reasonable future in this discipline.
CONSTELLATION WALK –1/2-point each-way@10-1
3.00 WINCANTON
APPLES MOON (best price 7-2) kicked into a touch a useful field of mares at Exeter last time out and with connections finding the perfect opportunity for her to operate against her own sex for the second time, Nicky Martin’s mare is strongly fancied to maintain the excellent start to the season made by her stable.
The daughter of Diamond Boy travelled like the winner throughout at the west country venue and her superiority at the line was masked by the underlying impression she had way more left under the bonnet if required.
Since that taking victory, the form has worked out well with Sunset Marquesa, Analiese and Tour Ovalie winning, while the likes of Kitty Foyle, Bobbi With An I and Hard Dealt have all finished placed.
Of those mentioned, Bobby With An I looks the most obvious danger on paper, having stayed on eye-catchingly well in the latter stages a month ago but she failed in her bid to build on that promising effort at Ascot last time out and it simply makes little sense why Joe Tizzard’s mare is 5-4 and Apples Moon is chalked up around the 7-2 mark in the early morning lists.
APPLES MOON – 1-point win@7-2