DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY APRIL 22
3.00 LUDLOW
THE EGYPTIAN GINGE didn’t go quick enough in front to suck the life out of heavily backed favourite, Gnomon, at Ascot last time out but it was still a commendable effort in defeat and he is worth another chance stepping up to a trip that should suit.
Prior to his latest offing, Nigel Twiston-Davies’ inmate had raced on the shoulders of an altogether stronger pace in a competitive handicap at Haydock and he proved good enough to last the 2m3f test, keeping on well to finish a creditable runner-up to the all-the-way winner, Static.
In beating of the rest of the 11 runners at the Merseyside venue, the flashy chestnut posted a very useful speed figure and under similar conditions to what he faced that day, he can maximise his talents to the full.
THE EGYPTIAN GINGE – 1-point each-way@4-1 (three places)
6.00 TAUNTON
Time may tell TARITINO bumped into a very well handicapped horse in the shape of Mr Jukebox at Exeter the other day and now racing back over a C&D that has served him well on numerous occasions in the past, Joe Tickle’s gelding can regain the winning thread.
On an all-hurdle race card at the west country venue, the best one on the data by some margin was the one involving the son of Buratino and the fact he pulled 18 lengths clear of the remainder in chasing home the easy winner tells its own story.
Heading back in the direction of a C&D that has witnessed some of his better career performances, the likeable six-year-old will only have to run to a similar level to repeat his victory here three starts ago.
TARITINO – 2-point win@2-1
6.18 GOWRAN
LORD MASSUSUS has shaped as though his first two runs of the season were just needed and with fitness on his side, he might just have the necessary requirements on this occasion to lower the colours of the well-regarded, City Of Memphis.
A no show on his first outing of the campaign at The Curragh, Joe Murphy’s gelding ran much better in a deeper race at the Leopardstown, and although no match for the classy The Lion In Winter, he kept on well down the outside to finish a never-nearer sixth.
For 26 spins on the trot, the durable six-year-old has taken on listed or Group company, so today’s conditions race should prove a welcome relief and having recorded a victory and a second-place finish on his only two previous visits to today’s venue, hopefully the ease in grade and his valuable track knowledge will count for plenty.
LORD MASSUSUS – 1-point win@4-1