DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 12
2.05 CHESTER
Improving three-year-olds in these sorts of events at this time of year can prove to be deadly and CRANACHAN rates a strong choice in a bid to follow up his impressive success over the C&D last time out.
It was a bold ploy by connections to send him up in trip to the tune of an extra four furlongs on the Roodee a month ago, albeit they had very little to lose, and the son of Cracksman rewarded them regally with a performance of some note.
Despite being up against two strongly fancied contenders in the shape of Sea And Sun and St Mawes, Ralph Beckett’s inmate proved easily the pick of the front three in the market inside the final half a mile and on the evidence of that display, it is easy to see why he has been asked to go back to the scene of that noteworthy success, safe in the knowledge he handles both the two miles and track really well.
CRANACHAN – 1-point win@4-1
3.50 CHESTER
Plenty of course regulars in this 1m2f handicap but one who isn’t, SHAFDAR, might prove good enough to overcome his lack of track knowledge.
Firstly, he is trained by Ian Williams and as a rule, most of his horses seem to act around this idiosyncratic track and secondly, he arrives here carrying easily the best recent form into the race.
Finishing fourth of 20 in one of the hottest handicaps run at York’s Ebor meeting will seem a far cry to what he faces here this afternoon (first three home all rated over 100) and the way he travelled on the Knavesmire was also very eye-catching.
Additionally, the form has already begun to work out with the third home, Bourbon Blues, scoring at Doncaster two days ago and from a good draw, he will surely be capable of taking advantage of his current rating of 89 with any amount of luck in running.
SHAFDAR – 1-point win@5-2
5.20 MUSSELBURGH
The data points towards this nursery being between NEEDIN U and Royal Strike and because the former has two crucial factors in her favour, namely a previous C&D and the draw, Michael & David Easterby’s inmate is fancied to come out on top.
The daughter of Land Force arrived at the Scottish venue following the statutory three runs for a mark and nicely backed beforehand, she duly made light work of her opening rating of 64.
Sat just off the strong pace set down to halfway, she eased her way to the front inside the final furlong and without being subjected to a hard ride, she gradually pulled clear in the closing stages, ultimately winning with plenty in hand.
Since that smooth success, the runner-up has gone on to boost the form/speed figure and with the essence of today’s task revolving around her being best positioned to track likely front runner, Bellatina, up the stands side rail, hopefully she can be eased out at the business to lay down a potent challenge.
As for her main market rival, Royal Strike, he had fared less well from the ballot being housed in stall 2 but he did earn a big speed figure for himself when chasing home the potentially smart, Sod Hall Lane, at Hamilton last time out and he could be dangerous if working himself into a position of strength.
NEEDIN U – 1-point win@3-1
5.35 LEOPARDSTOWN
A cracking card at the Dublin venue, but not too many obvious value bets on offer as far as I can see, other than TRUTH BE TOLD in this valuable premier middle-distance handicap.
Whether this has been the specific plan for some time for Michael Grassick’s gelding, only those in the inner sanctum would know, but there is every chance he has been kept back for a tilt at something substantial ever since being brought for 35k off Dermot Weld at the Tattersalls horses in training sale.
The son of Too Darn Hot certainly made the perfect start on his first start for new connections here back in May and considering he was stone last turning for home and was racing over an inadequate trip, his winning effort deserved even more praise.
Upped to 1m5f at Ballinrobe last time out, the four-year-old was noted travelling well rounding the home bend, but unfortunately from that juncture, he got blocked in at a crucial stage and by the time he extricated himself from the pocket, the winner just obtained first run.
However, he flew home to very good effect down the outside to suggest he remains a well-treated horse and providing he gets the breaks at the right time, this improving type can prove to be the joker in the pack.
TRUTH BE TOLD – 1-point each-way@10-1 (six places)