Thursday 7th June
Wolverhampton
4.40 – Mataaleb 2pt win 5/1 generally
Mattaleb takes a drop in class today having shaped well in a
better grade of race the last twice.
Last time at Newmarket he stayed on nicely over an
inadequate 10 furlongs in a class 3 handicap, which looked a very strong race
at the time, and was franked by Danadana when winning the Zetland Gold Cup on
Monday. Prior to that, he ran well on
the Polytrack at Lingfield when again staying on well over 12 furlongs in a
class 2.
Today he is down to a class 4, off a career low mark, and although
the step up in trip today is a slight unknown, I don’t think it will be a
problem, and he may even appreciate it.
The favourite, Teak, has won two very weak races recently, and is now up
the weights and up in class, so I’m happy to take him on at 3/1.
1st
Sandown
7.55 – Hurricane Lady 1pt win 12/1 Hills, 10/1 generally
If the weather forecast for today is correct, then
conditions at Sandown tonight could be quite testing, and will count against
the majority of runners in this race.
The favourite, Jawhar, holds an obvious chance as a well-bred, potential
improver from a top yard, but he was very disappointing on his return to
action, when failing to settle, and failing to see his race out. He may step up on that, but I guess that the
horse is quite fragile, and Sandown in soft ground is a thorough test of a
horse, so I’m happy to take him on.
The one I’m interested in is Hurricane Lady, who showed some
decent form last year, including a victory in soft ground at Chepstow. She is now with Mike Murphy, having been
trained by Walter Swinburn last year.
Horses leaving the Swinburn yard is an angle that I’ve exploited several
times in the past, and although Hurricane Lady was below par on her return to
action, I think it’s likely that she will improve again this year. Conditions will hold no fears for her today,
and she is reunited with Fallon, who was in the saddle for one of his victories
last year.
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