DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 17
2.45 NEWBURY
Probably not the strongest of maiden hurdles by the track standards and GALASHIELDS is easily capable of featuring should he find the necessary improvement from his most recent encouraging effort at Wincanton.
The race at the west country venue last month was a useful one of its kind, run at a true gallop, and it was only in the closing stages when Nicky Henderson’s inmate wilted.
Even finishing 11 lengths behind Pourquoi Pas Papa, the son of Australia came away with a smart speed figure and with the winner going on to boost the form at Haydock in better company over the weekend, his performance gained further traction.
Having back-to-back races within the space of a month after being off for 147 days previously, he should be just about spot on in terms of fitness and having loads of soft/heavy ground form to call upon in his native France, the seven-year-old has a better chance of shedding his maiden tag over hurdles than his morning odds imply.
GALASHIELDS – 1-point each-way@8-1