Flat Racing 9th April

[chris34]

3.30 Southwell Interesting handicap full of course regulars. All of Rambo Will’s form over this course has come over 5f including last time out finishing 2^nd to Fairy Wing, step up in trip a concern also stall 1 never considered ideal around here and backed up by figures for a front runner he needs to burst out from the rail. Marys Pet is a CD winner and is 1 from 1 over CD so clearly unexposed, up 6lb for latest win and unlikely to get a soft lead back here although wide draw could help but wouldn’t look an obvious sort to follow up. Steel City Boy is back in handicap this time having run from a long way out of the handicap last time and had previously been running well although probably not good enough to win this competitive sort of race. Punching a course specialist but has been well below par all winter, last handicap win came off 68 in November 2011 now rated just 54 but most recent wins have come in sellers and claimers and may need dropping back into them unless break has done a great deal for him. I am not willing to give up on Pull The Pin yet he looks on a good mark based on his win 3 starts back over CD. Never able to get involved over 5f on two turf starts slowly away and badly outpaced before doing all his best work late on to suggest he remains on a good mark and in form, should relish this return to 6f and slower fibresand surface. 2pt win Pull The Pin 9/2 bet365 3.40 Pontefract Hidden Justice looks a very short price with the ground drying out, he is also 4lb higher for a very close second when last seen on flat in October, returns fit from hurdling where he has made up into a fairly useful sort but again on heavy ground, he also steps up dramatically in trip so has more than enough question marks to oppose at 2/1 Mr Crystal goes well around here and can go well fresh but probably high enough in the handicap at present. Linkable has been in good form on the AW recently but is another that has to prove stamina and needs to prove effectiveness on turf. Zaplamation looks to have a lot more to offer over these sorts of trips, he didn’t come off the bridle over slightly shorter at Redcar on bank holiday in similar conditions, races off 10lb higher mark today which requires a career best at 8yrs old but clearly unexposed over staying distances and looks a professional sort over this trip. 2pt win Zaplamation 7/2 bet365

[last minute winner]

Re: Flat Racing 9th April Think the Boti horse Kingsdesire could be one at a big price today. What tempers my enthusiasm is that it's not had a run on turf yet this year and goes up against a race fit rival from O' Meara's. Really thought Kingsdesire could be a group performer when it ran well in a couple of decent races last season despite being ridden by that pudding Jamie Spencer. One to keep an eye after today. Think they could just be using Ponty's stiff uphill finish as a strong piece of work for it's next run.