BBOTD Sun 25th

[chris34]

5.00 Curragh Typically competitive field for the Irish Lincoln including a couple of british runners. Take It To The Max looks to have the best chance of the English raiders, he won 4 times for this stable last year including on seasonal reappearance, goes well with cut in the ground but a 9lb rise leaves him looking vunerable in a stronger race and this will require a career best at the age of 5 which isnt unheard of but against some unexposed and better treated sorts. Billyford was useful at 2/3yr old before disappearing for 3 years took his time to come back to hand but has now racked up a hatrick on the AW and although this requires a lot more off another 5lb higher mark certainly needs to continue upward curve on a slower surface. Sharestan is the current favourite and although I'm not one for stats favourites have a dreadful record in the race but im not discounting him for that reason but simply because he is racing against some slightly more experienced yet unexposed sorts and battle hardened handicappers. His handicap doesnt look all that lenient neither given the maiden he won was nothing special the highest rated out of that is the 3rd who won off a mark of 89 in a 5 runner handicap, he was about 4 lengths behind Sharestan and is rated 8lb higher than that one, his 3rd place in a class 1 condition type event reads a little better given the 5th went on to land a group 3 at Dundalk later but clearly has to be on top of his game in a race like this over a trip that is probably gonna be on the short side in the long term. Of the unexposed sorts Sikara interests me the most, having only had the 5 runs she is open to plenty of improvement still. Has gone well fresh on 3 starts and appears to go well for this apprentice so despite perhaps looking second string on jockey bookings he perhaps isnt necessarily given relationship with this apprentice and also stable looking to take of some weight in a competitive race like this. She clearly handles ground with cut and bolted up by over 6lengths when last seen off a 11lb lower mark in a race that hasnt worked out at all but clearly open to a lot more yet. Of the battle hardened older horses Hujaylea looks massively overpriced and oftens plenty of e/w value for me! He is 2 from 8 around here and has never ran a bad race around here which counts for a lot. Been trying his luck in Meydan handicaps last 2 starts step forward last time out when only beaten just over 3 lengths in a strong race off this mark. Wouldnt want the ground any softer than this and although not won a handicap off this mark before has placed in handicaps off this mark and has been competitive in a higher grade than this before and would be no surprise to see him go well at a decent price! 0.5pt e/w Hujaylea 20/1 Boyles

[Aidymac]

Re: BBOTD Sun 25th *Revani - Wincantpon 3:55* Handicap debut tomorrow and also debut run for Nick Williams tomorrow, a recipe for success? Ran a fantastic race here at this track in Feb 2011 when 3rd to Shuil Royale @ 40/1, a big field of 17 runners. When last seen over 100 days ago it ran a good race when 3rd of 7 behind Cotton Mill. Was beat 22 lengths, but Cotton Mill is a top class horse and this is much much weaker. Runs off a lowly 110 and every chance. *1 Point WIN @ 4/1 VC BOG*