DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY FEBRUARY 16
1.05 CARLISLE
KILNESARE FLIGHT and Johnny’s Jury have seen their respective maiden hurdle victories boosted in recent weeks but slight preference at the prices goes in favour of the former, who looks to have been a tiny bit underestimated.
The likes of Pourquoi Pas Papa and A Kind Of Magic have backed up the speed figure produced by Johnny’s Jury when he scored in emphatic fashion at Exeter a month ago and on the evidence of his display, he appears to be a strong stayer at the trip.
The only question he has to answer, I suppose, is whether he can be equally effective on today’s softer ground, which isn’t a doubt where Kilnesare Flight is concerned.
Donald McCain’s inmate had shaped well in a bumper over today’s course earlier in the campaign and went into his latest assignment one of four who had pretentions of making a big impact on his first start over hurdles.
In what turned out to be a well-run race in the conditions (heavy ground), the son of Malinas looked in trouble coming out of the back straight but once his stamina kicked into play, he proved too strong for his main three rivals in the final half a mile, and he ended up winning a shade cosily.
Since that success a month ago, the likes of Triple Crown Ted (won at Kelso Saturday) and Coylton King (unseated when running a big race at Ayr next time), have both advertised the strength of the form/speed figure and providing Brian Hughes makes full use of his stamina, he can give favourite backers a few anxious moments at the very least.
KILNESARE FLIGHT – 1-point win@5-2
7.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
MAGIC RUNNER must prove herself over today’s shorter trip but, in what looks a weaker affair than she has been used to of late, Ruth Carr’s inmate is fancied to have the necessary requirements to get the job done.
Last time out over the extended 1m1f here two weeks ago, she could never land a meaningful blow having been held up towards the rear of the field, but the way she finished off her race in the closing stages left plenty of optimism for the future.
Prior to that excellent effort, when she finished ahead of subsequent winner, Poetic Force, the daughter of Sea The Moon once again ran a notable race on the figures in a similar race behind Mr Nugget and providing events go a little smoother for her on this occasion, she has every chance of repeating her two previous victories at the Dunstall venue.
MAGIC RUNNER – 1-point win@3-1