A couple at big prices at Doncaster today, and one on the beach at Wolverhampton this evening.
CROCUS ROSE - 4.20 dONC
The 5yr old mare has a good record here, with a couple of wins over CD ( one in this race 2 yrs ago ) and a couple of placed efforts ( 4th in this last year )from 5 outings. She's easily forgiven her effort last time when tackling listed company, and didn't have the race run to suit at Newmarket the time before.
Prior to those 2 runs she had finished a decent 3rd to Gifted Leader at Sandown, before looking unlucky not to finish a lot closer to Praxitels at Ffos Las when not getting a clear run.
Dropped to a mark of 80 here with the useful John Fahy claiming 3lb, CROCUS ROSE should enjoy the big field and likely decent pace, and if the gaps come at the right time she should be capable of a big run. The odds of 20/1 look well worth a decent EW bet.
NICE STYLE - 4.55 Donc
A big price for the Cambridgeshire last time, NICE STYLE ran a decent race in defeat, eventually running on from out the back to finsih a never nearer 10th of 32. Prior to that run, he travelled extremely well at Newmarket over 10f, only to be denied clear run at a crucial time, finishing a full of running 7th.
The doubt for me today is the ground, as he really needs decent ground to be at his best. However, if the going is as described, then NICE STYLE should take all the beating here, as I've little doubt he's more than capable of winning on turf off a mark of 85. Available at 14/1, that looks big to me.
Whatever his fate today, he's certainly one to keep in mind for the better AW hcp's over the winter.