The ground was given as good at Warwick on Wednesday morning ahead of today’s card but there was significant rain forecast for later in the day and conditions are likely to be on the soft side of good for today’s seven-race card.
In the mares’ novices’ hurdle Galice Macalo (12.10) shaped with considerable promise in a couple of listed events last season although she compromised her chance by pulling too hard. If she learns to settle, she is more than capable of winning her share of races and she would have finished second, at worst, had she not come down at the last at Aintree back in December. The mare is 11/8 at Unibet.
Calum Gilhooley (1.45) has won three of his five career starts and looked ready for a step back up in distance when getting up in the shadows of the post over an extended 2m 2f at Uttoxeter last time. Graeme McPherson’s six-year-old – 4/1 with bet365 – won his Bumper on soft ground while both recent hurdle success were gained on good ground. He looks adaptable regarding underfoot conditions and is open to further improvement. The Warren Greatrex yard looks to be coming into form and Miss Honey Ryder looks a big danger.
Court Master (2.20) has had his third wind procedure since finishing down the field at Cheltenham in January, but that was a much better race than today’s and he is taken to make it three wins from four runs over fences in the 2m 4f Handicap Chase. Michael Scudamore’s seven-year-old – 5/2 with William Hill – beat Jarvey’s Plate in his sole point in his native Ireland, has a good record fresh and first time out may be the time to catch him.
At Ffos Las Heavey reverts to fences having finished a good second at Perth over hurdles last time. The form book suggests he was brought down four out on his chase debut at the same track earlier in the summer, but I felt he was on his way down when meeting interference. He has the scope to jump a fence but will need to brush up his fencing.
Summit Like Herbie (2.43) was a fluent scorer on good ground at Doncaster from an 8lbs lower mark back in the spring when ridden by a talented 7lbs claimer. He appreciated the return to three miles on that occasion and will not be inconvenienced if the ground deteriorates. The ew selection is 4s at William Hill who are betting 4 places – A market move for Wayfinder on his chase debut would be worth noting.
Joly Maker (5.00) was brought down in the early stages at Perth last week but I feel he is worth giving another chance to despite the fact that his win at Bangor back in August came over an additional half-mile. The selection – 9/4 with William Hill – will appreciate the forecast rain on Wednesday, however, and connections look to have found a weak race. Un Beau Romain continues to drop like a stone in the weights and he is looking very well handicapped at present although he will become a teenager in January.
At Chelmsford, this evening Looktotherainbow was sent off 6/4 favourite for what is historically a warm newcomers’ race at Newmarket, and she is entitled to come on for that initial experience. She will have to, however, if she is to get the better of Jacinth (4.25) whose Newbury third over 6f has been given a boost by the subsequent victories of the runner up – in a Yarmouth nursery – and the winner Alcohol Free – in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes last weekend. The William Haggas-trained filly – Evens with 10bet – looks ready for a step up to 7f.
