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.
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 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
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. 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. He 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 looks ready
for a step up to 7f.
