Flat Racing; Monday 12th December

[Lars]

14:15 Wolverhampton Hands and Heels races aren’t perhaps known as the best betting opportunities, but FOCAIL MAITH isn’t one to need much pressure from the whip to get in front and that will prove handy in this sort of race, and after two creditable efforts since his last victory in October he could be ready to strike again with a top apprentice booked. He’s generally been a consistent sort through his career, especially at this 10f trip (only unplaced once from six attempts at the distance) but has generally found it difficult to win. That changed however when recording an easy success at Lingfield off a mark of 68. Travelling well throughout, he was guided into the lead with a minimum amount of pressure before coming away readily, in a race that has worked out quite well. Since then, he ran on soft ground at Nottingham and posted a respectable effort in the circumstances to finish 3rd, and was last seen running at Lingfield over 1m2f. Although only finishing 7th, it paid to be prominent in that race and the positions hardly changed throughout, so it was far from a poor effort, especially as he was caught wide and saw plenty of daylight from a wide draw. Subsequently dropped 1lb in the ratings, he still isn’t badly handicapped by any stretch of the imagination if replicating the Lingfield success. Although never getting in front off a mark this high, there’s plenty in his favour today. The fact that no whips are used will suit, as he doesn’t seem to need much persuading if it’s a going day, and the inside draw should help him get a good position tracking the leaders. The fact Michael J Murphy rides is also a positive, as he’s much more experienced than most of these riders and he has plenty of talent, running at a 17% strike-rate on the all-weather in 2011. Interestingly, he rode one of the market principles in Archie Rice to victory last time, so it is perhaps a pointer in itself that he rides something else today (another reason would be that connections want a claimer on Archie Rice). Still, he’s a capable rider and it looks a very positive booking. This isn’t a great race, and although Focail Maith is slightly vulnerable to an improver when running off a mark of 72, there isn’t such an improver that I can see and the field look thoroughly exposed. He’s also 12/1, which for a consistent horse who usually gives his running is far too big a price. It’s a poor 8 runner affair, with little in the way of improvers and with plenty to suit today, the selection should run well. FOCAIL MAITH; 2pts @ 12/1 Bet365 (bog)