DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY APRIL 15
2.32 LEOPARDSTOWN
ABBEY ACTRESS shaped with a huge amount of promise for the rest of the season ahead at The Curragh on her opening gambit last month and with a return to a trip that will see her in abetter light, Johnny Murtagh’s filly remains one to keep on side while still on her current mark.
Having raced at distances ranging from 1m2f to 1m4f last season, the chances she would come unstuck over a mile at the Kildare venue were quite high and true to form, she struggled to keep tabs with the main players in the first part of the contest.
However, the four-year-old filly really began to find her feet in the latter stages and by the time she hit the line, she was bearing down on Perry Mason and Electric Lady, who already had the benefit of a previous outing over the same C&D.
Winning in emphatic fashion over today’s trip on her final start for old connections last season, a return to 1m2f looks the natural progression for a filly who is sure to be plying her trade over middle distances throughout the season and with the overnight rain also a welcome addition to her claims, it would be disappointing if the daughter of Make Believe doesn’t make a big impact of her current rating (82).
ABBEY ACTRESS – 2-point win@5-2
2.40 HAYDOCK
The Bluesman ran out a very impressive over today’s C&D two starts ago and his run in the Jack Richards at Cheltenham wasn’t too shabby either but whether he wants the ground as quick as he is likely to encounter this afternoon is open to question and the value alternative comes via OUTLAW PARK.
Unlike the favourite, Paul Nicholls’ gelding really enjoys good jumping ground and his victory over today’s C&D last time out highlighted his strengths under such conditions.
Setting strong fractions from the outset, the 10-year-old turned away a very competitive field of veterans in the final of the long-running series and with the speed figure pointing towards the strength of the form, a repeat of something similar should see him go well again on his return visit.
OUTLAW PETE – ½ point each-way@11-1 (four places)
3.00 NEWMARKET
BOILING POINT had his biggest day so far to date when capturing the Cambridgeshire over the C&D last autumn and even though he arrives here following a defeat in the Winter Derby at Lingfield, Karl Burke’s five-year-old is fancied to bounce back in the best possible fashion.
Just as his stable mate Liberty Lane had done the previous year, the five-year-old make virtually all in the big backend cavalry charge and in doing so, he posted a very smart speed figure.
Upped in grade when tackling a classier type of opponent at listed level last time, the combination of a tepid pace and his propensity to race keenly ended up counting against him but even so, he still only got beaten just over a length, which wasn’t a bad return under the circumstances.
Back under his preferred conditions over a course that clearly plays into his strengths, another attacking ride can reap maximum rewards.
BOILING POINT – 1-point win@3-1