DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 5
2.25 DONCASTER
STORMING GEORGE failed to come up to scratch when tackling Grade 1 company at Aintree last time out, but he should easily be capable of bouncing back in this much lower level on handicap debut.
Neil King’s inmate looked progressive based on his first two starts over hurdles and was only a 17-2 chance to defeat the likes of Idaho Sun and Mydaddypaddy at the Merseyside venue but for reasons not even his trainer could work out, he turned in an uncharacteristically poor run.
Prior to that total blowout, the son of Order Of St George made mincemeat of his rivals when making all the running over today’s course and with today’s extra yardage seen as a potential source of improvement for a horse who is bred to stay well, a return to Town Moor should give him all the encouragement to put that theory into practice.
STORMING GEORGE – 1-point win@2-1
3.10 HUNTINGDON
SINNATRA and Act Of Innocence have already locked horns this season, with the latter coming out on top, but with the former arguably progressing in a much convincing fashion since, Dan Skelton’s inmate could be primed to gain his revenge.
Looking back at that novice hurdle at Newbury back in November, Nicky Henderson’s inmate was much the best on the day, quickening up well to readily pull clear of his main market rival on the long run to the line and it was easy to see why he was extremely well supported (4-7 into 2-7) to repeat the dose over the same C&D the following month.
Having set tepid fractions from the front, Act Of Innocence looked to have all angles covered turning for home but inexplicably, he gave away his advantage to the juvenile, Minella Yoga, which, given how his conqueror performed at Cheltenham next time out, is hard to get your head around.
Meanwhile, Sinnatra went in a different direction to Sandown and although his task was similar on paper (sent off 1-8), he made no mistake in his bid to make all the running.
What looked a mandatory success to the eye, was backed up by a very smart speed figure and it was a performance that went a long way to suggest the son of Walk In The Park might be underestimated in his rematch with his old rival.
Tactically, it will be fascinating which one of the pair decides to take the bull by the horns, but either way, the scopey six-year-old is bound to give a good account however the race pans out.
SINNATRA – 1-point win@2-1