DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY MAY 3
3.35 NEWMARKET
A typically wide open renewal of the 1000 Guineas with a sense of anything can happen being the overridding feel.
Despite the various permitations on offer, it would come as no surprise if Ballydoyle took home the prize with either Precise or True Love but if the pair follow the general theme of how their yard has been performing in the early part of the season, THE PRETTIEST STAR could be the main one lurking in the bushes should they come up short.
It might be asking a lot of Ed Walker’s filly to land a classic on just her third career start but clearly connections have every faith she can justify coming here without a run and it’s not as if she doesn’t go well fresh, as she proved on her seasonal bow as a juvenile.
Pitched into the deep end of the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes on her final outing of the campaign, the daughter of Starman only found one too good in the shape of the positievly ridden Zanthos, but there was a good deal to admire about her late work up the hill and it’s worth pointing out she finished nicely clear of those positioned towards the centre of the course.
Obviously, she will have to step up again on that performance, but she hails from a yard who are going particularly well with their fillies in the early throws of the season and a chance is taken she can follow suit.
THE PRETTIEST STAR – ½ point each-way@12-1 (four places)
5.07 SLIGO
SANDS CASTLE ran its face off for a 300-1 poke in a useful maiden at Gowran last time out and having been handed what appears a workable mark, Adrian Sexton’s filly should be capable of shaking a tail feather or two on handicap debut.
The race in question at the Kenny venue was the best speed figure on the card for starters so there is the first indication the daughter of Sands Of Mali ran way beyond expectations against the boys and using the third, Conjecture as a guide, who is rated 83, to come out of the contest with a mark of just 64 could turn out to be quite lenient.
Obviously, there is always the potential for that performance to be a fluke and running handicap enviroment requires a different skill set but the ability Is most certainly there and a chance is taken she can prove her true worth on her first attempt in this sphere.
SANDS CASTLE – ½ point each-way@15-2 (four places)
5.20 NEWMARKET
The novice event won by Maltese Cross at Newbury 16 days ago was highlighted by its strong speed figure for a race of its kind, and SAHARA KING, one of the big eyecatchers in the 1m2f contest, is fancied to take the necessary step forward and score on handicap debut.
Stepping up to 1m2f following a successful start to his career over a mile at Wolverhampton, Richard Hannon’s colt ended up being poorly positioned as the race further developed with half a mile to race at the Berkshire venue but his work from that juncture was extremely encouraging and he was bearing down on the main players at the line.
Based on the evidence of that promising effort, he ticked the box on several fronts, namely proving he has trained on as well as handling turf for the first time and sure be sharper with that all-important run under his belt, the Too Darn Hot colt can look towards cementing his claims for a spot at Royal Ascot.
SAHARA KING – 1-point win@3-1