A fine day amidst an unsettled pattern, useful workday for the horses. Yorkshire the focus for the rest of the week with two runners at Wetherby tomorrow and two at Doncaster on Friday.
The ground at Wetherby is soft with good to soft place, rain forecast overnight and my general feeling at this time of year is that wetter is better as can be holding and sticky otherwise. Our first runner is Ned Tanner in the feature chase at 13.20; he ran well in defeat on his last two starts at Aintree and Haydock and whilst he has never been to Wetherby I think it is a track that will suit him well. I also feel what should be softer ground tomorrow could help him improve a little from his last run. It is a competitive race though and he does remain close to his career high mark handicap wise – 9 run and Sean rides.
Ned Tanner
Suspected steps up in trip for his handicap debut in the 13.55; he has been steadily getting his act together over hurdles and in time should look well treated off his opening mark, whether he will prove street wise enough to show this first time in a 16 runner event I’m not so sure, as he is very much continuing to learn. Seems in good order though so could run a big race – Bruce rides.
Suspected
On to Doncaster on Friday where the ground is good to soft with soft places and may well ease further. Bruce rides our two runners and first up is Ginger Mail in the 14.15; he ran well last time to be 4th at Newcastle and whilst there was a feeling he didn’t stay that day I think his tame finish may have been more to do with the stable form at the time. He did win over 2m 4f last February off 1lb higher so if the race is run to suit I think there is every chance he can return to his best, he won well on his only previous visit to the track – 8 run.
Ginger Mail
Anamanda runs in the mares novice handicap hurdle at 14.50; a competitive race and we need to see her bounce back to the form she showed last season, she certainly seems well at home and will prove well treated when she does – 12 run.
Anamanda