RyanWe

                                                                July 28th

Stratford

3.20 Handicap Chase (CLASS 5) (4yo+ 0-95) Winner £2,599 13 runners 2m7f Good To Firm

Gem Mill made most of the running, taken over at various points by his rivals as he seemingly hit his customary flat spots. He could only manage 2nd in the end, but it was a game effort nonetheless.

Springaway, aged 12, hasn’t stood much racing under rules these past few years, and hadn’t shown a great deal this season, but he seemed more than motivated today to put his best foot forward, although I’m struggling to explain the sudden improvement in his form.

Pharaon De Touzaine had never proven to stay today’s trip in the past, and the way he travelled again today before not finding much when under pressure would suggest that nothing has changed. He could still prove competitive at 2m 4f like his win last time out.

Tuesday’s Child was a big eyecatcher LTO in a amateur handicap hurdle when in all honesty he should have won, but only managed 2nd after the jockey seemingly went for home too soon. Today he travelled really well again, and jumped his fences really well, but just seemed to fade out as if something was a miss. He’s not getting any younger at 12, but I still think he’s got a race in him.

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3.55 Handicap Hurdle (CLASS 3) (4yo+ 0-125) Winner £4,549 11 runners 2m110y Good To Firm

Sansili led and dominated for another win, shrugging off a 7lb penalty in the process. The breathing op has worked the oracle for this 4 year old, although I the authority of his success is getting narrower, and narrower, so I don’t think he’ll have that many more races in him with his rising mark.

The Tiddly Tadpole stayed on well to get 5th after momentarily getting outpaced, and he is definitely worth another go at further. I’m not so sure he’s that well handicapped anymore after he got punished for winning a poor novice hurdle, and his best efforts have been around Cartmel, so he’s naturally disadvantaged at any other track, but it’ll be interesting to see where he turns up next.

There wasn’t much effort by the jockey on Whispering Wind, and this was the 1st time this season that the horse actually managed to keep up with the pack. He ended up tailing off, and I’m sure the handicapper will put him down a good few lbs again. He’s going to be well handicapped before long based on his Irish form, and I can’t help feel that they are just going through the motions with the horse at the moment. He’s one to look out for in the future.

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4.30 Handicap Chase (CLASS 4) (4yo+ 0-110) Winner £3,249 7 runners 2m4f Good To Firm

This race was full of horses on stiff looking marks, and some dodgy jumping to boot too.

Morestead made the running and was in front everywhere bar the line. He was really unlucky to be honest, but given his inconsistent profile, I’m not sure he’ll be able to produce the same performance again.

Majy D’Dauteuil came with a late rattle to deny the front runner. He’s struggled off similar marks before in the past, and this will now push him even further, he’ll be worth taking on at a short price.

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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)
Tuesday’s Child (July 28th Stratford)
Whispering Wind (July 28th Stratford)