By Charlie McCann
Wetherby stage the first of their two-day Charlie Hall meeting on good ground and Camachoice is sure to be a warm order for Jamie Snowdon in the 2m Handicap Hurdle having run away with a Southwell handicap last time in a first time visor. He has been raised 20lbs for that success so looks thrown in with a 7lb penalty but connections are almost obliged to run the horse and it is possible that the visor won’t be as effective a second time.
Preference is for Mick Easterby’s Lightening Rod (1.40) who ran a cracker over C&D (5lb higher today) when second to Goodwood Mirage at the Bobby Renton meeting earlier in the month.
Trustan Times is well handicapped on his hurdles form but might need further and hasn’t looked a natural over the larger obstacles until getting his act together when third in the Scottish National when last seen back in the spring.
Silver Roque (2.15) has a great record fresh, will love the ground and Conor Shoemark takes off a valuable 3lbs for Fergal O’Brien. This is a much tougher race than the one the grey won first time out at Sedgefield last season, but he could be called the winner from some way out and might still have a bit of improvement to come. Emma Lavelle’s Off The Ground and bottom weight Shadows Lengthen are others to consider in a very good race.
At Uttoxeter Minella Present (12.50) can follow up his recent C&D success for Neil Mulholland in the colours of Lady Clarke whose name and silks will always be associated with the track. Roberts Fort is the obvious danger but the selection escapes a penalty for win earlier in the month and he looks a decent prospect.
In the same colours Barton Rose (3.00) was too keen to finish her race returning from a seven-month lay-off at Newton Abbot but she will have lost much of that freshness and looks ready for a step up in trip having scored twice earlier in the year over two-and-a-half-miles.
Viking Ridge was a huge disappointment at Southwell last time having looked one to follow at Huntingdon previously. He could easily bounce back but I am going to take a chance with the top-weight Listen Boy (3.35) returning from a 12-month (to the day) lay-off for Nigel Twiston-Davies. The selection has bits of form which suggest he can be competitive off his current mark and he is likely to make it a true test dropping back in trip.
At Newmarket Borak was only collared inside the final furlong at Nottingham over a mile and the drop to seven should suit in the opening division of the juvenile maiden. The selection cost connections 130,000 Gns as a yearling but was already gelded before making his racecourse debut.
Crown Command (1.00) can go one better than when runner up at Haydock on debut for William Muir although Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Hannon have newcomers who should be noted for a market move.
Dame Lucy (3.10) will be 2lbs higher in the weights from tomorrow and the 3lb claim of Ryan Tate will help in a competitive 12f fillies’ handicap. The selection wasn’t stopping when runner up at Newbury last Friday and shaped as if she would appreciate a return to 12f the trip over she scored on debut in Ireland for Jessica Harrington.
It is the first night of the Breeders’ Cup in Santa Anita and a strong British challenge in the Juvenile Turf over a Mile but Royal Ascot winner Hootenanny (9.25) will take some beating for Wes Ward in the colours of Derrick Smith if he gets a mile. Frankie Dettori takes the ride and the colt has a good draw in four and the firm ground will suit.
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