DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY OCTOBER 5
2.16 STRATFORD
ARCTURUS FLAME impressed with the way he went about his business on hurdling debut at Plumpton and even though today’s assignment represents a whole different ball game altogether, James Owen’s inmate is fancied to prove equal to the task.
Useful on the flat, the son of Too Darn Hot was found an ideal opportunity to get off the mark at the first time of asking in his new vocation and he didn’t miss the mark, jumping well before going on for a comfortable 17-length success.
As his odds (2-7) suggested, he won with a ton in hand but the speed figure he posted was pretty good considering he appeared to be going through the motions in the final half a mile and with the strong possibility of more to come, he can keep Square D’Alboni honest at the very least.
ARCTURUS FLAME – 1-point win@2-1
6.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
APEX STAR was a cigarette paper away from pulling off the impossible here last time out and William Knight’s gelding’s agonising wait for that illusive victory might just be over.
After breaking perfectly well enough, inexplicably, William Knight’s gelding got shuffled back to find only one behind him after a furlong and he still had a mountain to climb turning for home.
Switched wide to obtain a clear run down the straight, he picked up in taking fashion and going on strongest of all inside the final furlong, he only just failed to prove he was easily the best horse in the race.
Back to the scene of that effort against similar opposition, from a good draw, connections of the three-year-old would leave the Midland venue scratching their heads if he didn’t come away with the prize.
APEX STAR – 1-point win@13-8