RyanWe

                                  July 27th

Perth

2.20 Novices´ Hurdle (CLASS 4) (4yo+) Winner £1,949 6 runners 2m110y Good To Firm

Only 3 out of the 6 originally entered for the race turned out for this novice hurdle, probably due to the fact that the ground had firmed up since they raced yesterday. However, it still saw the original first 3 in the betting race and saw Brave Beauty sent off as the evens favourite.

Brave Beauty, a 7 year old mare who had won her 2 previous novice hurdles (3 miles, and 2miles 5) raced straight off in to the lead and led at a good gallop. Wild Geese a last time out winner himself was struggling from half way and didn’t jump with much fluency.

This left it down to Brave Beauty and That’ll Do Nicely to fight out the finish. However, That’ll Do Nicely never got closer than 5 lengths, and the likeable mare Brave Beauty completed the treble on this step down in trip with some ease. I’m not sure if the handicapper will leave her alone on her current mark of 125. If he judges this easy win over a 113 rated rival whilst giving away 14lb, then it wouldn’t surprise me to see her go up to 130 – which would be ridiculous because I really don’t believe that the 2 horses she beat today are worthy of their respective marks.

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4.05 Handicap Chase (CLASS 4) (4yo+ 0-115) Winner £3,798 7 runners 2m4f110y Good To Firm

Another small field turnout that saw five horses go to post. Storm Prospect made the rest of the running after Big Burrows departed with his jockey early on.

They went a pretty sedate gallop, and only started to race in the final half mile coming in to the home straight. Quechua Des Obeaux hadn’t really shown anything under rules, although he did win a point to point not so long ago, but he did hit the front and looked dangerous before making a bad mistake at the 2nd last.

Steel Magnate then took the lead and jumped the last with a one length advantage and looked good for all money. However, he couldn’t fend off the challenge of the well waited Adrianeo, although it was reported after the race that the saddle had slipped, which might have prevented him from holding on. Adrianeo was given a good ride from Timmy Murphy, but I’m sure the handicapper will have his say and he’ll struggle against anything remotely well handicapped - such was the strength of the race.
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4.40 Conditional Jockeys´ Handicap Hurdle (CLASS 4) (4yo+ 0-115) Winner £2,532 10 runners 2m4f110y Good To Firm

Another non runner ravaged race. The pace looked moderate, and like most races today a Perth, they only started to race turning in to the home straight.

The finish was fought out between Solway Star, and Swiss Guard. The latter travelled the best, but didn’t find much for pressure over this step up in trip. I’ve learned from the horse’s previous performances that he often does the same over shorter trips, so I wouldn’t necessarily say he didn’t stay today, and he ran a decent enough race to get second.

There wasn’t really much form to recommend the winner Solway Star, but he showed that his 3rd in a seller last time out was no fluke, and he capitalised on his handicap mark that the handicapper chose to leave the same although he did race 4lb out of the handicap. Considering he has room for improvement in the jumping department, he might be able to pick up another poor quality handicap.

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5.15 Novices´ Handicap Hurdle (CLASS 4) (4yo+ 0-105) Winner £2,532 6 runners 3m110y Good To Firm

Another disappointing turnout to end the card, with the race seemingly a match between Brompton Brow and Banellie, and it ended up that way with them both duelling for the lead coming in to the home straight.

Brompton Brow travelled the best and asserted his authority after pinging the final hurdle for a comfortable success. This was his 1st step in to handicap company, and the step up to 3 miles was right up his street, especially as a point to point winner. I think he can more than pay his way in the future and if the handicapper doesn’t go crazy, he should have a good chance of following up.

Banellie has been knocking on the door in handicap company, on both sides of the Irish Sea, so he adds some substance to the form, and will probably be able to find an opportunity to win sooner or later.

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Eyecatchers so far
Baan (July 21st)
Cloudy Dawn (July 22nd)
Fashionable Gal (July 25th)
House Of Bourbon (July 25th)
Bahr Nothing (July 25th)
Mezarat (July 26th Worcester)
Brompton Brow (July 27th Perth)