The Inside Track

Saturday 11^th August

Newmarket

3.00 – Mississippi 1pt win 12/1

Both Mississippi’s pedigree, and the visual impression that he has created, strongly suggest that the step back to 7 furlongs will bring about some improvement today.  His sire is very much a speed influence, and his half-brother, Maarek, is a 110 rated 6 furlong horse.

2 runs ago at Doncaster, Mississippi looked the likely winner throughout the race, on his handicap debut, when travelling better than anything until the 2 pole, only for him to tire running into the final furlong.  Last time at Royal Ascot, he was dropped in, and looked as though he was ridden to get the trip, but again failed to do so.

Now dropped back in trip, I would expect him to race closer to the early pace, and he certainly has the potential of defying his current mark of 88.  This is a very competitive race, but 12/1 looks a fair price.

Redcar

3.45 – Alakhan 1pt 16/1 Coral, 14/1 generally

Alakhan has been disappointing so far this season, but there are several factors that I feel that this horse needs to show his best form, today is the first time that he gets them this year.

I think the horse is best when fresh, needs a strongly run race over a mile, and a sound surface.

With Cono Zur, and Sir Trevor in the line-up, it should be strongly run, and both ground and trip are fine, he also arrives on the back of a 5 week break.

Alakhan caught my eye when running in a hot Newmarket handicap last year, when impressing with how he travelled through the race, but was badly drawn and did well to finish as close as he did.  If Ian Williams has him in the same form today, then he will go very close, and will make this morning’s odds look very generous.