Beverley 12/5/09

[fintron]

4.00 Beverley James Given could be forgiven for thinking his season hadn't started as Dream of Olwymn, when scoring at Nottingham on Friday, was his first winner of the flat season. However, with the clouds that have been looming over his Lincolnshire base now seeming to lift, Royal Trouper could be up to the task of landing the Best UK Racecourses on Turftv Handicap here. 14th of 19 and behind Delegator when tried on his debut in a Newmarket maiden, this 100,000 euro purchase chased the leaders but weakened 1f out when sent off at 66/1. However, the likes of Palavicini, Four Winds and Crowded House have all emerged from that maiden, and even horses like Cry For the Moon, who finished well back, have shown improvement since moving into handicaps, as Royal Trouper is here. On his second start he seemed to progress and finished 6th of 11 in a warm Doncaster maiden. The horses infront that day have turned out to be useful, progressive sorts. The Miniver Rose, Union Island and Mustaquer have all picked up races or ran respectably in good company and Headline Act and Holberg have been successful in handicaps off marks in the late seventies. Royal Trooper was 4 lengths off the fifth that day, but he is rated accordingly, and off a rating of just 66 here I think he has been let in lightly. Last time out at Newcastle he improved again and ran a solid enough race in fourth behind one that has recently contested a Group 3 pot. He finished comfortably infront of Graycliffe who has won a race since going handicapping, and I think on quicker ground and stepped up in trip (out of a dam who was a half-sister to Derby and Oaks winners) he can pay his way this season too, starting with this 0-70 3 yo handicap.

[Lars]

Re: Beverley 12/5/09 Had a quick look at the card, and I'm deciding to focus on the last race for the time being (The 17:00) I think top weight Rossini's Dancer may struggle tomorrow. It seemingly favours soft ground, as shown by all it's career wins being on the A/W, soft or good to soft ground. Came 4th LTO which may be a worry. But, this is it's preferred distance so it will always be a threat. Ace of Spies which is also in the race, finished 2nd, but is unproven from this sort of distance. Has been consistent but will pass over it for the time being. After looking through, I've decided on two EW opportunities. First is Thompsons Walls. Had the same distance and course run only a month or so ago, just at a grade better than this and finished 11th. However, looking at that race, it looked quite quick and everyone with a better ride, who knows. I feel that with a drop in Grade, it can be in with a shout. First ride with the Nicholls yard which is always a promising statistic. LTO raced over a shorter distance and looked fairly promising. I feel it's a possible EW shot. The other is Umverti. I always view the Bycroft horses with interest, it being a fairly local yard to myself and knowing a couple of people involved and I feel it has a good chance tomorrow. Raced along and stayed on the pace LTO over a furlong or two further and I feel a drop in trip could suit it. Norton aboard it is also a good sign, I believe at times he can be a very very useful jockey and can often lead outsiders to a place or better. I'm expecting the odds to be fairly long on this one so here's hoping. I expect Umverti - 0.25pt EW Thompsons Walls - 0.25ptEW IF the ground softens, I'll be probably putting 1pt Win on Rossini's Dancer, that seems unlikely however.