The listed Upavon Stakes is the feature race on Salisbury's
nine-race card this afternoon and there is the prospect of heavy showers
hitting the track throughout Wednesday and on raceday although, at the time of
writing, conditions remain good to firm.
Three-year-olds have won three of the last five renewals of
the race and it would be no surprise to see Award Scheme maintain her progress
and land the hat-trick. The William Haggas trained filly was hugely impressive
at Yarmouth last time and looks sure to go close as she steps up in class. The
selection has yet to race on anything other than fast ground on turf, however,
and marginal preference is for Roger Varian's Gold Wand (2.20).
The selection bounced back from a moderate run in the Oaks –
failed to stay – to finish second at York in this grade dropped back to today's
10f trip, and she ran a very good race on heavy ground when runner up at
Doncaster on debut. The winner of that race – Domino Darling – has yet to see
the track this summer but note she is entered to run at Windsor on Monday.
Without A Fight (3.20) showed a willing attitude to score at
Redcar over 10f last time and he is taken to follow up as he steps up in trip
to a-mile-and-a-half for his handicap debut. That success was gained on fast
ground but there was a bit of give underfoot when he finished a promising third
at Newbury on debut.
There is only 5lbs between the five runners and all have
realistic chances with Andrew Balding's Gold Heart considered the main danger
to the Crisford runner who was gelded before he saw the track.
Willy Nilly (4.55) made all at Bath to break his maiden tag
last time and he is well drawn in stall one to follow up under a 5lbs penalty
for Clive Cox this afternoon. The first and fourth home in that Bath race are
subsequent winners and, granted decent ground., I will be disappointed if the
lightly raced selection does not go close for his inform yard.
Soft ground at Hamilton and Credible (2.40) can make it
third time lucky in the 6f maiden for Richard Fahey. The filly is a daughter of
Pivotal so should appreciate the give underfoot and her neck second to the
promising Muker on debut is very good form. The combination of 5f and fast
ground saw her have to settle for second place at Doncaster again last time, but
today's additional furlong should see her in a better light.
In the listed Vinnie Roe Stakes at Leopardstown the Irish
Derby third Dawn Patrol (3.30) can follow up his recent facile maiden success
at Naas. The colt did not get the best of runs when third in the Derby at the
Curragh and gave every impression he would appreciate a step up in distance.
This looks an ideal steppingstone to the St Leger at Doncaster next month.
