The boss had a late one last night after the Betfair Pro-Am Golf Tournament so I’ll fill in for now. Bert has Prince Ary running at Market Rasen (3.45) today in a valuable handicap hurdle with £30,000+ to the winner. He was touched off by a short head on his only previous visit to the track in a similarly competitive handicap. Today’s race is two furlongs further at 19.5 furlongs and represents new territory for Ary who hasn’t raced beyond 18 furlongs. However, he has been pretty consistent with two wins, four seconds and a third from ten runs over hurdles and deserves to take his chance, though it would be fair to say he’s now pretty well exposed. The horse has been running in a tongue tie recently and is likely to be given a break after today during which a wind operation will be considered.
No joy at Pontefract or Haydock. Shepherds Warning set a much faster pace than she did at Ayr and didn’t get home. However, she travelled very well for 6 furlongs and was matched as short as 2.2 for decent money on Betfair in running. Nicky Vaughan is registering her 5 day entry for the Tattersalls October Auction race at Newmarket as I type. A frantic 6 furlongs may suit.
Effingham had the opposite problem in that 6 furlongs was inadequate and he probably needs to be upped in trip. However, he showed that the Pontefract run was all wrong and he won’t be exposed to similar conditions any time soon. Barry Hills sent four horses to Haydock and the other three all won !
Bert will doubtless be back with news of Winker Watson ahead of the big race next Friday.