Rock Of Max is a bit on the drift but is now a price where I’m happy to lump on. It’s race where most of the older horses are quite exposed and not overly well handicapped. So from the bottom of the weights this three year old colt may be the answer. He didn’t show too much, although is latest Kempton effort wasn’t quite as bad as he stayed on from an unfavourable position.
Whether he is up to his opening mark or not remains to be seen, but the dam produced two foals who developed into mid 90 rated individuals, so there is a fair chance for some improvement as the step up in trip should work in favour too.
A very competitive little race – you could easily make a case for each and everyone. However from a price point of view Light And Shade is overpriced in my book. He’s potentially well exposed compare to others, but that says he has the right form in the book and is likely to run to his mark.
What is interesting though is the fact that he is fitted with cheek-pieces for the first time. He has has a tendency of hanging as well as carrying his head high. So in addition to a noseband, he’ll be fitted with CP today.
He won really well on his penultimate start, overcoming all these issues and he wasn’t disgraced at all when last seen. Not all too well positioned, he stayed on late and it is not out of this world that he is capable of doing better and finding more improvement with the headgear potentially having a big impact.
In that respect it is noteworthy that Aqlaam offspring usually does extremely well with cheek-pieces.
This a poor affair as you would expect in this class but it is noteworthy that Mr. Donohoe brings a horse over from Ireland for this race. He has a history doing so and has been rather successful in recent years, so one would think there is a reason why Virile is going to post at Newcastle tonight.
The four year old gelding has been racing on the UK All-Weather a couple of times earlier in his career, with career best achieved at Wolverhampton when 2nd in a decent maiden behind a good winner. Since then he has been seen largely in Ireland but wasn’t up to his marks.
However he looked far more into in his last two starts when he travelled notably well for a long time. He has been dropped to a career lowest mark nonetheless and will have the additional benefit of the 7lb claim of an apprentice in the saddle. I believe he could be seriously well handicapped in this field today for this reason.
Gelded since his most recent and actually rather promising run, Oriental Dream makes appeal from a feather weight in this poor low-grade Handicap. The four year old showed some okay form when racing on better ground, while never took to cut in the ground.
He was outpaced at Redcar last month, but finished well enough in the 6f sprint; the form of this race works out rather well.
Oriental Dream tries the All-Weather for the first time today and that may bring out some improvement. He is bred to go well on it, as his sire Sharmadal has a really good record on the synthetics.
Up in trip to 7f again should suit and he has a good draw plus a a 7lb claimer in the saddle. Not too many excused today, and would be no surprise to see him go close.
Nice little race for a Monday, an open contest with many in the hunt for the money. The favourite Related must rate a fair chance, dropping in class after running with credit in hot company. This is easier, and he should go close. Progressive Oriental Relation is a course and distance winner this winter already, he made a big jump right into Listed company the last time but was found out. This here is not quite as hot, but still tough enough and a career best would be required today.
Rich Again really excelled on the Wolverhampton tapeta in recent weeks. He couldn’t quite translate the same form over to Lingfield lto and a career highest mark may find him out this time again. Money Team went agonisingly close in a strong 6f Handicap last month, proving his good latest form. He didn’t get a run the last time when upped in trip and may find this today easier over potentially ideal 6f on the slow Chelmsford polytrack surface.
With the right form in the book, job-jockey Gibbons in the saddle and a fair handicap mark, Money Team looks the value in this race in my mind. 4.30 Chelmsford: Class 3 Handicap, 6f Money Team @ 4/1 Bet365 – 5pts win
Godolphin’s progressive Dream Child is turned out quickly after failing by the narrowest of margins to get his head in front four days ago over 9.5f here at Wolverhampton. He got hampered that day over 1f out at a crucial stage of the race and as a result had to re-organize himself pretty quickly – which can be a difficult task for an inexperienced horse. He quickened nicely nonetheless and almost got there on the line. He travelled strongly throughout and followed up nicely on a hugely impressive success over 12f at Wolverhampton back in January.
Dream Child is still lightly raced and the fact that he can race off the same mark today as four days ago, makes him a huge chance here. The step up in trip poses no problem whatsoever. He proved his stamina before. Judged on this latest performance, he should be a couple pounds higher rated and potentially goes all the way into pattern class after this in my mind. No doubt Dream Child is the most talented runner in this field.
The main dangers are Noble Gift who’s holding his form well and he should run a good race once more. Luv You Whatever has excellent form and was able to translate his Southwell forms to the tapeta last time out. But has to overcome another hike in the mark, which means a career best is required. I’m usually not for the short favourites, but think in this case that Noble Child should be a good deal shorter. With Adam Kirby booked for the ride I hope he won’t meet trouble in-running this time and then he should simply have too much on the plate for the rest.
Dream Child is on a four-timer and looks rock solid to perform strongly once again in the Wolverhampton feature today. Dropping to 9f shouldn’t be a problem as she has won over this trip before. With a good apprentice booked, the rise in the weight is offset to an extend. However one has to wonder how much improvement is still in her. Also she has a huge weight to shoulder today because of the big difference in ratings. She may well be good enough, but she better be at her best.
As always I try to oppose those short favourites and I feel with Boonga Roogeta there is one mare in the race who has the ability to cause an upset. She has won on the All-Weather in the past was mostly seen on turf in the last couple of seasons. She has slipped to a very handy mark now, as she won off similar or higher three races in the past. The last one at Brighton last May off 9lb higher than today. She likes to go from the front, and with her ability to get further she may well be able to dictate matters, set a strong gallop and fend off all her rivals.
She has been off the track for a while, but has performed strongly as a fresh horse in the past, and this record instils confidence that a big run is on the cards with her regular rider in the saddle too. Paddy Power is offering a huge price in this small field and it looks huge value to my eyes, so I’m bullish with the stake.
State Of The Union has left the Richard Hannon yard since winning a Kempton handicap in September last year. He was a very impressive winner on the eye that day when he overcame a very wide draw, using loads of energy early on. He was keen and exuberant and set a strong pace, drew clear entering the home straight and held on when getting a bit tired eventually.
Only upped by 4lb, he must be hard to beat here if he can go on from this run with natural improvement likely for this lightly raced colt. Fitness has to be trusted as he hasn’t been seen since this last Kempton success but this looks an ideal opportunity to score. The drop in trip to 5f shouldn’t pose a problem. He showed good early speed before and pole position should give him every option to make all from the front.
4.05 Wolverhampton: State Of The Union @ 4/1 Bet365
Masamah has been off since August, though done well fresh in the past. Age doesn’t seem to slow him down, he ran with credit in big handicaps last season. Acted on Tapeta at Meydan.
Zac Brown is much improved on the AW this winter. Won with loads in hand at Chelmsford, couldn’t quite follow up at Southwell. 10lb higher now but remains open to further improvement.
Boom The Groom was extremely consistent this winter, and not disgraced last two either since success at Lingfield. 2lb above last winning mark. Probably slightly better over 6f.
Steelriver ran well lately over further. Fair third over 6f last month. May find this minimum distance too short.
Basil Berry went agonizingly close at Chelmsford last month. Up in the mark and career highest required, Can follow-on, but drop in trip a slight worry.
Royal Bajan posted career best when winning at Chelmsford earlier this month. Gutsy 5f specialist on the AW. New career best required again.
Mappin Time didn’t travel well at Chelmsford lto, yet finished race well coming off half year long break. Has never won handicap off mark as high as the current one.
Megaleka ran out a fine 2nd behind Royal Bajan lto, needs to improve again to win off career highest mark.
Long Awaited was third behind Royal Bajan lto on first AW start. Hasn’t won since 2012 and still 1lb higher than last winning mark.
Invincible Ridge is a fair All-Weather performer, ran consistently well in recent weeks, but is 8lb above last winning mark which came in class 5 handicap.
Dynamo Walt improved this winter and won a couple of races. Consistent but loads to find on form with most rivals in this field.
Verdict: As open a race as it gets. Zac Brown may be a fair favourite and has potential to improve further, but now ten pounds above his last winning mark, he to do progress quite allot to overcome a career highest mark in this quality field. He looks short enough in the betting for that reason. You can make a case for most other runners.
Rojal Bajan’s recent success is very strong form and there is no reason why he shouldn’t go well yet again. The second and third of that race, Megaleka and Long Awaited meet the rival on slightly better weight terms today and should go close as well. Boom The Groom has been very consistent this winter, and if the trip isn’t too sharp for him, then he’ll right there when it matters too.
The class act in this field is Masamah. A former Group 2 winner, he has ran well despite his age in big handicaps last season. He may not be quite as good as he once was, but with a slightly slipping mark and a very good 5lb apprentice in the saddle, he must have a very good chance to run a big race today – if he is fit.
That is the main question mark. He has done very well as a fresh horse in the past, though the older horses get, the longer it takes to get them fit. I take a gamble on him, however, that Marco Botti knows how to keep this veteran healthy and fit and I suspect he is not in the race to just make the numbers. He looks a big price and shouldn’t have an issue with the Tapeta surface, since he acted on the All-Weather before and finished in the money at Meydan’s Tapeta track.
Luv U Whatever is on a three race winning streak and hasn’t been out of the money in five. All came at Southwell though. Has to transform this form to tapeta off career highest mark now.
Gold Trail won his last two and seems to thrive on the AW. Talented individual, improving all the time. Had the run of the race lto when up with slow pace. Seems to do only as much as required. Unclear how much he has left and if he truly gets the trip. 4lb up but excellent 3lb claimer on board too.
Entihaa is a classy stayer in fine form. Not far beaten last twice after winning two on the bounce. Drop in trip not sure to suit, though has past form over 12f. Career best required.
John Reel won his last three and is greatly improved, thriving on the AW. Still rather lightly raced for his age. Won over variety of trips. Successful in hot 12f handicap at Lingfield, followed by 2m win at Wolverhampton lto. Turned out under penalty today.
Saptapadi has won only one single race in his career and as a 9yo isn’t likely to improve. Should find this too tough.
Verdict: It’s only a small field but there won’t be a lack of pace with most runners likely to prefer being up with the speed. Godolphin’s Gold Trail is a worthy favourite, showing good improvement lately and he he’s on a hat-trick today. He stepped up successfully to 12f at Lingfield the last time. But in my eyes that didn’t quite prove if he truly gets this trip as he had the run of the race tracking the leader who was crawling for most parts. Any flaws in his stamina will be exploited today.
Already a six year old, but not many miles on the clock for that age, John Reel improved dramatically over the last couple of weeks and he seems to thrive over any sort of distance. Quickly turned out under a penalty now, he has to overcome a career highest mark and drops dramatically in trip again. Potentially he is good enough.
Southwell specialist Luv U Whatever may not quite be suited by Wolverhampton’s tapeta surface. He has to be at his very best and I’m wondering if he is able to show that at this track. Saptapadi won’t play a role in this race, however Entihaa may well do. He’s likely to want it to be a stamina test and it remains to be seen if he has the speed for 12f these days. He’s clearly in fine form though, was in front until half a furlong out lto when John Reel got the better eventually, but meets the same rival on six pounds better terms today.
The two red-hot in-form favourites John Reel and Gold Trail have any right be short prices. Both have the potential to improve further. However they are short enough and the trip is a question mark for most of the runners in this field, those two included. I feel Entihaa is well overpriced, though. Trip is a question mark, but he has done pretty well recently and he is worth a shot here in this field as he has been able to perform over 12f in the past.
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