Hi all,
A frustrating Sunday with all four selections running well well to place in their respective races. There are a couple of interesting Class 3 handicaps at Redcar and Windsor this afternoon.
Redcar
3:15 – Broken Spear was a 2 ½ lengths 5th of 22 to Johan in Lincoln 9-days ago. He’s entitled to go close if in the same form but today’s softer ground will put a premium on the 6-year-old’s stamina. Boardman was in excellent form early last season, winning three times in May. He’s down to his last winning mark but maybe better for the run, Bowland Park won twice last summer on an easy surface. A mile is his distance and the 4-year-old is just 3lb above his last winning mark and if he’s ready to roll he’s handicapped to be competitive.
David O’Meara saddles a couple of well handicapped horses in Hortzadar & Orbaan. The first named, a previous C&D winner was 6-length 13 of 22 in the Lincoln. He had finished third in the previous year’s race but he may have needed the run this time. Orbaan is effective in the mud and more than capable of winning a race like this if all the cards fall right. That said he’s only 1-19 since joining the O’Meara yard. His style of running means he needs a strong pace to chase which is forecast today. It’s hard to split the pair but Hortzadar’s low draw in three means he just shades it for me.
1pt win – Hortzadar – 8/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Windsor
2:50 – Zim Baby heads the market. The filly was an unlucky 5th of 14 on her final start of 2021 at Nottingham (5f). She’s returned to action in good form finishing a ¾-length 3rd of 18 to Seven at Doncaster 8-days ago. Showing plenty of early speed that day she found the 7f just stretching her stamina in the final stages. The return to 6f is a plus and she’s on a winnable mark. Trainer Mick Appleby saddled last year’s winner Edraak.
Inver Park has been gelded over the winter and is having his first start for trainer George Boughey. The 4-year-old looks on a competitive mark and did win first time up at Ascot (good to soft) last season.
Trainer Mick Channon has won two of the last three running’s of the race. He saddled two here in Indian Creak & Smeaton’s Light. Both won first time up last season so fitness shouldn’t be an issue but should the ground ease I prefer the former. Indian Creak is 0-16 in Class 3 or higher company but his form figures over C&D are 211 an he’s racing off his last winning mark. Tom Marquand has been booked for the ride and he’s 4 wins from 12 rides 33% +17.75 when teaming up with the trainer at Windsor.
1pt win – Indian Creak – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John