DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY OCTOBER 11
4.15 NAAS
This season has been a bit of a throwback to the good old days for Tony Martin when the Meath handler landed big handicaps for fun and following on from yesterday’s Cesarewitch winner, EBEN ZAABEEL looks poised to play a significant part in this valuable prize.
Stable mate Putapoundinthejar arrives here in great form having shone in the Galway Hurdle recently and he could well turn out to be well treated on his return to the flat but so too could be the son of Sea The Stars.
The five-year-old took his time to find his feet since leaving Charlie Hills in the UK but he really caught the eye at Limerick three starts ago, keeping on in taking fashion in the closing stages of a competitive handicap without being subjected to anything like a hard ride.
Since that effort which attracted the attentions of the stewards, he has run twice over hurdles, resulting in winning the first one readily at Downpatrick and finishing a creditable second at Fontwell eight days ago.
The way he travelled in that contest at the Sussex venue before being outsprinted by the superior flat speed of Anniversary suggested he remains in decent shape and with today’s ease underfoot likely to play into his strengths based on his run at Limerick back in June, he should turn out to be very dangerous off bottom weight.
EBEN ZAABEEL – ½ point each-way@17-2 (five places)
5.17 GOODWOOD
SPIRIT OF ATHENE showcased her preference for a test of stamina when winning a strongly run heat at Leicester last time out and with today’s contest likely to pan out in a similar fashion, Ed Walker’s filly can take this step up in grade in her stride.
The daughter of Time Test wasn’t seen to best effect the run before at Lingfield but with Quisana setting a more honest tempo at the Midland venue a month ago, she really came into her own, staying on powerfully over towards the far rail to score going away.
Based on the speed figure she posted on the day, she usurped her previous best when successful at Sandown earlier in the campaign and with conditions set to suit her more than some, she can keep her stock high.
SPIRIT OF ATHENE – 1-point each-way@6-1 (four places)