Thursday 21 May 2009

7:30 Pontefract (22nd May)

An interesting conditional stakes race for colts and fillies over 6f on soft(ish) ground.

Of the form horses none is great but a number have shown ability and it will take a very good performance for one of the unraced to win this on their first start.

Little Perisher is a sturdy colt with plenty of speed and probably just about the form pick. This step up to 6f on softer ground may be a test too far and I would have doubts about him getting the distance.

Be Invincible will enjoy this better ground and 6f. He has a very pronounced running action and not the most attractive of movers to be fair. The Windsor race wasn't the hottest of contests but credit should be given to Hills' juvenile as he ran wide and made up many lengths to win from a low draw. I can see him improving for the stiffer test.

Walkingonthemoon was well beaten by Little Perisher and connections will be hoping the run at Ascot didn't show his worth. Certainly a question mark over that performance and the form of the Newbury win on debut has taken many knocks since and that is a concern.

Roi De Vitesse flew home at Nottingham to win on the line. That race, again, has not held up as well as initially considered. Millman's colt may improve for 6f.

Both Shark Man and Maidtorun are battling types and will not give up without a fight.

Urban clubber didn't look the most imposing of individuals and ran a so so race at Haydock on debut. It may have been the case that this colt was second string that day as Howard Johnson had the winner in the first division and he has been entered to run in three stakes races which is a good sign. His trainer has very good place statistics on second start and may improve, although certainly needs to.

Not the easiest of races to appreciate but interesting nonetheless.

Race review: 'An interesting stakes race won by the improving Roi De Vitesse who appreciated this step up to 6f on more testing ground. Walkingonthemoon bounced back from his Ascot run and it is interesting that both Dascombe and McCabe's Fratellino have shown that performance to be all wrong. I wonder if there was a bias at Ascot with the other runners going along the rail. Be Invisible looked rather one paced, finishing third.'