DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY JANUARY 16
12.40 WINDSOR
Three really nice prospects face the starter for this opening novices’ hurdle and SWINDON VILLAGE, the outsider of the trio, is fancied to prove the market to be all wrong.
Charlie Longsdon’s gelding shaped with plenty of encouragement for the future on his hurdling debut in a warm contest at Ffos Las back in October and it came as no surprise to see him build on that solid effort at Leicester last time out.
Setting out to make it a proper test, the six-year-old already had his main market rival, Home Made Hero, at the threshold of total exhaustion when he capsized at the last and even though there was a late scare when Lon Chaney got given a lifeline, he soon extinguished any hope for his only pursuer.
Posting a smart speed figure at the Midland venue, the second has already gone on to boost the form and this relentless galloper, very much suited by the way David Bass likes to ride, can serve it up to his two main rivals from the outset.
SWINDON VILLAGE – 1-point win@3-1
2.25 WINDSOR
HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA and Bluey are the two standout performers in this mares’ novices chase based on the figures and the former is taken to come out on top over this trip.
Bluey looks sure to take the field along at a good gallop but whether she will truly see out the 2m4f journey is open to question, whereas the Jamie Snowdon’s mare is a guaranteed stayer.
That theory turned out to be the case when the pair met over the extended 2m1f journey at Exeter last time out and that game victory was backed up by an exceptional speed figure for the conditions.
Now 5-5 when there has been soft or heavy in the going description, the daughter of Affinisea is likely to keep those impressive stats intact.
HOLLYGROVE CHA CHA – 1-point win@5-2
5.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
The outcome to this race could go several ways depending on how it is run, but providing there is a reasonable pace generated, FOOLS RUSH IN has the weapons to follow up his recent C&D success.
Both Ruth Carr’s inmate and Latin won over the same C&D 10 days ago and it is worth noting his speed figure and splits from the Dunstall venue were a good deal quicker.
James Owen’s inmate was slightly quicker of the pair from three out, 36.9 compared to Fools Rush In’s 37.2 but the circuit time of the latter, 1.35.8 against Latin’s 1.37.6 suggests his performance carried more weight behind it.
Moreover, there was a fair chance he would have finished ahead of The Dark Baron with anything like a clear run the time before and for reasons outlined, he looks to be slightly overpriced given his current form.
FOOLS RUSH IN – 1-point win@4-1