DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY JANUARY 9
12.43 NAAS
A tricky opening maiden hurdle with several having strong claims based on their profiles but arguably the one with the most appealing form line coming into the contest is TAKENASRED, and he makes plenty of appeal at the morning odds.
On his opening bout of the season, he chased home the smart Blake at Down Royal and with the winner unlucky not to add graded success next to his name in the Royal Bond next time, the form looks decent in the context of today’s race.
Further evidence to suggest Stuart Crawford’s inmate has been unlucky to bump into above-average opposition is backed up by his latest effort when third behind the highly regarded Upon Tweed, and subsequent Tramore winner, Stede Bonnet, and with the speed figure of his Ayr encounter pointing towards a good enough number for him to be competitive in today’s heat, he deserves to be played accordingly.
TAKENASRED – ½ point each-way@11-1
3.35 EXETER
PASSING KATE must be sick of the sight of Jour D’Evasion, but both of her two defeats at the hands of Henry Daly’s improver have been useful speed figures and now back at the scene of a venue that witnessed her land this prize last season, Matt Shepherd’s mare looks primed to repeat the dose.
The nine-year-old had a good crack at her old rival at Bangor two starts ago on heavy ground but ultimately had to settle for a creditable second best and last time out at Chepstow, she simply didn’t have the basic speed to cope with the same opponent who was trapping along at a fair rate of knots from the front on a much quicker surface than ideal.
Back under optimum conditions here this afternoon, she arrives in better form than she did twelve months ago when grinding out a workmanlike success and she rates each-way material based on her overall consistency.
PASSING KATE – 1-point each-way@15-2