A winner is always nice, especially coming off THAT Saturday… but it could – maybe should have been – two winners.
Spring Is Sprung made all to win nicely at Pontefract. Safari Dream only beaten in the dying strides after going off way too fast.
Penalty Shootout was supremely well-backed but faded like the majority of horses I back these days. Probably did too much too soon and didn’t get home.
……
9.00 Hamilton: Class 6 Handicap, 1m½f
Shahnaz could enjoy a perfect race, up with the pace in a race where not too many may want to make it a hot race for the lead. The mare clearly is returning in some fine form, as evidenced by her recent reappearance over this course and distance.
She loves it here: 2 wins from 4 runs, and the most recent one highly encouraging when fifth, less than four lengths beaten.
She was a bit sluggish out of the gates but quickly moved forward to lead, travelling nicely on the bridle. She showed a lovely attitude once under pressure and kept going before eventually eased in the final furlong.
The run should put her spot on for today. An additional pound off the mark is a bonus. She still ran some good speed ratings last season, two times 55+ in fact, and if she strips fitter today, there’s no reason not to believe she’s still that good.
A fine low draw will help to keep the effort to a minimum at the beginning, as long as she starts quickly. This is also a weaker contest than three weeks ago. There’s some money coming all morning for her, no surprise (from 10’ss as low as 4/1 now, but Exchanges still give 6.4-8 for a proper stake).
10pts win – Shahnaz @ 11/2
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