DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY MAY 16
4.42 NAVAN
The maiden won by Latin America over today’s C&D a month ago was noted for its strong speed figure and NOW MAYBE and SANTA BRAVADO, having both shaped well for different reasons, are taken to fly the flag for the form.
The former fared best of the pair finishing a creditable third and there was a good deal to admire with the way he kept on in the closing stages having been found wanting for a change of gear from three out.
Although an opening mark of 87 is no gimme, the fact Jessica Harrington’s gelding is proven at the Meath venue in a well-run affair must count for plenty in the final analysis and he makes more appeal than some at his morning price.
The latter never really got into the race after being held up in the rear from a bad draw, but he caught the eye with the way he came home from two out and he was in no way given a hard ride to do so.
The type likely to continue to improve, Andy Oliver’s charge simply can’t be ignored either at his morning odds.
NOW MAYBE – ½ point each-way@13-2 (three places)
SANTA BRAVADO – ½ point each-way@10-1 (three places)
5.00 NEWBURY
The Spring Cup over today’s C&D proved to be a rather messy affair and EBT’S GUARD and CHECKANDCHALLENGE, two of the chief sufferers in behind the well-ridden Linwood, are afforded another chance to show their true worth in what will hopefully turn out to be a more conventionally run contest.
The Berkshire venue has one of the widest tracks in the country, yet the 24-strong field all converged towards the stands side rail, and it meant anything held up in the rear – which was a tactic for both selections – didn’t get a run for love nor money.
Beaten six lengths, the former never knew he had a race and with plenty of solid form in these big-field handicaps to call upon, the son of Cable Bay could easily defy top weight.
The latter was having some light relief having been dining at the top table in pattern races for the thick end of two years and he certainly showed enough to suggest he is worth persevering with in races of this nature.
Let’s not forget, only a year ago, William Knight’s inmate ran a career high by finishing fifth in the Group 1 Lockinge behind the likes of Lead Artist, Rosalion and Notable Speech and a dropping mark of 104 looks very attractive on that form.
EBT’S GUARD – 1-point each-way@12-1 (five places)
CHECKANDCHALLENGE – 1-point each-way@14-1 (five places)
5.40 NEWBURY
SAPPHIRE STEPS ran a good deal better than the bare result suggested here last time out and in the belief that an extra furlong can elicit further improvement from Richard Hannon’s filly, she may end up being a bigger threat than her morning odds indicate.
Having her first outing for 237 days at the Berkshire venue, the daughter of Dark Angel was dropped out last in a competitive field and despite making eye-catching late gains to finish an honourable fifth, she could never get into a position where she was likely to threaten the main players.
Presumably ridden in such a way that day to get the trip, she left the impression she was only just getting going over the seven furlongs and having run well on all three visits to today’s track, a return to her safe space could easily see her cause a bit of a surprise.
SAPPHIRE STEPS – ½ point each-way@11-1 (four places)