DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY MARCH 2
2.07 KEMPTON
Judged by the market, there is a huge amount of faith being put in Charles Darney improving for a step up in trip and the safest option might be to look in the direction of JOHN GALT, who at least is already proven over today’s C&D.
Not much was expected of Jamie Osbourne’s inmate at the Sunbury venue two months ago but despite his 20-1 status, he overperformed by keeping on well from mid-division to finish a respectable fourth.
Based on the speed figure posted by the winner Caliban, who made sure the race was run at a true gallop, the four-year-old’s performance needs upgrading and a repeat of something similar should see him hit the frame at the very least.
2.55 LEOPARDSTOWN
This race revolves around whether Petit Secret will be fully tuned up after an 820-day layoff and if that does turn out to be the case, Willie Mullins’ inmate easily has the capabilities to score on hurdles debut.
However, there must be a certain element of risk attached with a horse who has clearly had his problems and the percentage call, therefore, is to side with the race-fit PLAYTIME.
Gordon Elliott’s gelding didn’t run too badly on his first two starts over hurdles, the first of which came in a useful maiden over today’s C&D at Christmas, but in his latest outing at Thurles, he showed a good deal more.
Held up off the pace at the Tipperary venue, the son of Sea The Moon made gradual progression throughout the final mile and although beaten 17 lengths at the final count, the clock and his closing sectional suggested he had run to a decent standard in what was an above-average race of its kind.
Indeed, the winner, Laurets D’Estruval, is entered in the Turners at the Cheltenham festival and could turn out to be very smart, and with his proven ability to handle today’s track and conditions already secured, he should be good enough to keep the favourite on his toes at the very least.
JOHN GALT and PLAYTIME – 1-point each-way double@10-3 and 2-1