IN SUMMARY: COOL STRUTTER (8/1 Each Way) could pull off a bit of a surprise in a first time hood which may well be what he needs to get him to focus in a race that may not take that much winning. Danish Duke is consistent but hard to win with which is why we oppose him today.
1 MR FRANKIE – No course wins, no distance wins, and a last of eight at Wolverhampton when last seen in action, so not a lot to recommend him here. No wins from fourteen starts but ten places in total hence his handicap mark of 70, seems likely to run well but this may be too short for him.
2 ABI SCARLET– Clearly loves this deeper all-weather surface with nine wins here over six furlongs, though we note the last three have been in claimers or sellers. Has tried this trip on ten occasions in total without success, which puts us off this afternoon.
3 COOL STRUTTER – Andrew Balding is far shrewder than most give him credit for and a first time hood could yet wake up the son of Kodiac who needs something to get him involved. Hasn’t won in a long time but slipping down the weights slowly and if there is a surprise, he could yet provide it.
4 RED TOUCH – New stable could well see him rejuvenated but he will need to improve on his last run when last of four in a mile claimer here. Has tried hurdles unsuccessfully and may find the drop back in trip is not perfect, but has chances on bits and pieces of his best form from last summer.
5 CLIFF – Sixteen runs without success has to be a worry, but he did run well when second to Cabal at Redcar off the same handicap mark. Yet to try this surface but ought to handle it, but the Tinkler yard are a little quiet of late.
6 ALPHA TAURI – Has had his last eleven runs here so clearly knows the track better than most jockeys, and is a course and distance winner on six occasions off ratings up to 76 though that was in 2011! 68 today seems acceptable but cant be getting any better tat the age of ten and may find a younger rival has too much speed today
7 AZRUR – Been dropping down the ratings since 2014 when he won at Newbury and Newmarket off of 82 and 81 respectively so is clearly well handicapped today IF he reverts back to his best form. 146 days off the track has to be a worry and he seems likely to need the run today.
8 MAYFIELD BOY – Hasn’t won since May 2014 in eight attempts and has had his issues hence just the two disappointing runs last season. Off the track since last July, and yet to race on any all-weather surface, he seems sure to need the race today and is not for us.
9 TRUST ME BOY – Three course and distance wins from eight attempts including last time out on his first run for a couple of months. Up four pounds this won’t be as easy and is a step up in class where he may well struggle.
10 STAR OF THE STAGE – Drops in trip form a mile but may not be as effective on this slower surface with his last win at Lingfield which is considerably faster. Dropping down the weights and warrants some respect, but stable without a winner in the last fortnight.
11 DANISH DUKE – Has been running consistently this season with a second and a third here, but seems to struggle to get his head in front where it matters. Represents another quiet stable but certainly looks to have each way chances.
myracing Forecast Prices: 6/1 Danish Duke, Azrur, Trust Me Boy, 7/1 Abi Scarlet, Red Touch, 8/1 Cliff, Cool Strutter, 12/1 Star Of The Stage, Mr Frankie, 16/1 Alpha Tauri, 25/1 Mayfield Boy