Primo Bacio ran well in defeat at Newbury on Saturday, but it was largely a disappointing day although we again finished the week in profit as we were +£5.20 to a £1 level stake during the week 7th-13th August inclusive with the month to date now +£27.50 to a £1 level stake.
2.20 Catterick
The draw in stall nine of eleven is the concern for TALAMANCA but he cannot be opposed under a 6lbs penalty for his fluent win at Windsor last week. Trainer Richard Spencer revealed postrace that he expected the horse to win as easily as he did 24 hours earlier at Leicester, but he was a bit free and failed to get home over an additional furlong in the east midlands.
Exciting young apprentice Taylor Fisher keeps the ride on the selection who is likely to go forward from his wide draw. There are a number of juveniles in the field who like to race prominently so Fisher will have to decide when and how to get across, but I am convinced he remains well treated.
One interesting note. In the following 6f handicap there are two early nonrunners. They were drawn 10 of 12 and 12 of 12. Coincidence? Hardly! But that does put into perspective the draw bias at the Garrison track over sprint distances.
Recommendation: Talamanca at 7/4 with Boylesports
5.40 Bangor-on-Dee
There is the prospect of heavy showers coming in from the west in north Wales for Bangor’s evening jumps card. Bempton Cliffs has not been seen since the spring when he was in fine form making all to win a couple of novice handicaps for Sam Allwood. He has been raised 17lbs for those successes, however, and preference is for PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL who is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time by Brian Ellison this evening.
The selection was backed as if defeat was out of the question at Stratford on his chase debut when runner up to a subsequent winner. He will appreciate the drop back in distance to this extended 2m 1f trip and his fencing was largely clean and quick last time. Note he would not be inconvenienced if the rain arrives, although he would if a low sun means the field miss out any of the fences.
Barest Of Margins would likely have won at Uttoxeter had he not crumbled on landing two out last time, but he is 4lbs higher in the weights and this looks – at least to my eye – a stronger race.
Recommendation: Punxsutawney Phil at 5/1 with 10Bet
7.10 Bangor-on-Dee
The lightly raced Farouk De Cheneau will have his supporters in the 3m handicap chase, but I think the race rests between Charlie Uberalles and AVIEWTOSEA with preference for the latter who receives 13lbs from the top-weight.
The selection scored at Uttoxeter on his chase debut and lost little in defeat when runner up back at the Staffordshire track to a rejuvenated Tedham last month from a 1lb higher mark. Fergal O’Brien’s 7-y-old won over timber on his sole previous start at Bangor, rain would not be a problem and the stable have been in cracking form for the best part of two years.
Recommendation: Aviewtosea at 9/4 with William Hill
7.50 Windsor
PRECISELY is in the form of her life and followed up a win at Newbury in June with a short head success at Ffos Las last month. Both races are working out very well and the mare is only 3lbs higher than when beating Gaius on her last start. The runner up did us a favour when scoring over this evening’s C&D last week. Harry Davies keeps the ride for John Butler’s mare who is one of four last time out winners in a field of five for a fascinating and competitive finale.
Recommendation: Precisely at 9/4 with William Hill