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WETHERBY stage a competitive meeting Tuesday afternoon and the feature is a trappy four-runner event where I am going to give another chance to Fill The Power (3.25) who stayed on all too late at Doncaster last time on good to soft ground. This more severe test of stamina is what he needs and the Sue Smith runner has been dropped 1lb by the handicapper for that effort.
Wood Yer has won his last couple and is only 9lbs higher for those two wins which might look lenient by mid-afternoon, but the danger is suggested as Camden despite the letters rather than numbers next to his name of late. He wore blinkers at Bangor last time but they failed to have the desired effect and cheek-pieces are applied today. He has his optimum conditions today and, whilst he has never been the most consistent of horses, if on a going day is a big danger.
Massena (4.30) is chasing the hat-trick and his 7lb penalty is largely negated by the 5lbs that conditional Callum Whillans can claim; the Venetia Williams stable remain on the crest of a wave and I would be surprised if this inmate was not still ahead of the handicapper although one note of caution his three career wins have all been gained going right-handed.
Top-weight Hidden Horizons (2.15) makes the journey over from Northern Ireland in the mares’ handicap chase and this winning pointer has been running consistently well in better races of late. Better ground would suit but she has form on a soft surface and gets the verdict in a weak contest.
Taunton are due to hold a precautionary inspection at 7.30 but the executive are confident they will beat the recent rains with a nice day forecast in Somerset. Ceasar Milan (3.10) could be very well-handicapped for former Champion trainer Paul Nicholls and jockey Harry Derham’s 5lb claim is a bonus. The selection went off 11/8 favourite for the Grade 2 Persian War Novices’ Hurdle back in October and he is now running off a mark of 117 less Derham’s allowance. The fitting of a tongue tie would suggest he has had problems with his wind but he could be absolutely thrown in and the drop back in trip from Ascot last time is a help.
Virak is a fascinating contender for the Nicholls’ yard in the feature 2m 1f handicap hurdle but he was pulled out by the yard at Ascot at the weekend on account of the ground and preference is for Tornado In Milan (3.45) trained by Evan Williams whose stable won the corresponding race 12 months ago with Barizan. The selection won over fences here last month and reverts to the smaller obstacles this afternoon. There should be plenty of pace in the race which should suit although Leviathan is another who might have the race run to suit and whose yard (Venetia Williams) won the race in 2011 with Ciceron.
Pressies Girl cost connections £35,000 last April but may need better ground and the bumper can go to Davy Doubt (4.50) who finished runner up for David Pipe on his British debut at Wincanton last month and this winning Irish pointer was bought at the same sale as Pressies Girl and cost £20,000 more.
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