Folkestone - 1/12/08

[WoodyTHFC]

1.30 The Old Pretender 15 pts This could turn out to be quite a decent novice contest especially for the track. There seem three main ones to concentrate on. Awesome George was a good winner lto and Martys Mission has performed well enough on his first two starts. However I think the hurdling debutant The Old Pretender is a very interesting recruit. He was so impressive in his first start in a bumper when he won so easily and got quotes for the fest. bumper after that run and they were justified as the style of his first win was just so impressive. Indeed it was considered good enough for him to start co fav. for a grade 2 after that where possibly he underachieved a bit but looking back at it now, it wasnt as bad a run. The winner mad max and the second the nightingale are good horses and the old pretender initially couldnt live with their extra pace but he plugged onto be fifth. Looking at that I think the decision to start him off at 2 and a half miles is fairly justified, judging by his first win he should like the ground, it will be interesting to see how he gets on and he might just be good enough to win on hurdling debut. 2.30 Ballyveeney 15 pts Ranks as a bit of an unkown here but I think he looks quite interesting on his handicap bow here off just 102. He has competed in three races so far and whilst his first run it is hard to say he showed anything really, there was much more encouragement in his last two runs. Both times he has been beaten a fair way still, however he hinted on both ocassions that he was capable of better, staying on both times in fair races. Indeed the effort a long way behind mahonia has seen quite a few of the beaten horses around him since come out and when/run well enough in defeat to give encouragement. Another major key today is that he steps up in trip which given his style of running and bits of his pedigree looks a major plus, also on that the testing ground shouldnt prove a problem.

[PL2008]

Re: Folkestone - 1/12/08 FOLKESTONE 1:30 AWESOME GEORGE MARTYS MISSION Both has experience jumping unlike the favorite The Old Pretender. Martys Mission comes from the Stewart Family and they have a high strike rate in Novice races. The King and Thornton runner (Awesome Geroge) was a 12L winner LTO. 1pt Exacta BOX