2.45pm Redcar Race Preview 07/10/2017

A drop to selling class for Lady Volante back on turf. As mentioned on Thursday in the race preview, the step up to ten furlongs should suit her well on pedigree. She has shown form with cut when trained in Ireland so the current good to soft conditions shouldn’t be an issue, while any drying of the surface would not be a concern. There are a few who are better in at the weights but she has shown in the past that she is capable of running better than her current rating of 53 so that isn’t a huge concern.

Miningrocks is the top rated and with the seven pound claim from Ger O’Neill taken into account, he is the best in at the weights. He is the pace angle into the race and should get a relatively soft time of things on the front end with no other front runners in the contest. He has shown some of his career best form this season, primarily on soft ground so connections won’t want to see the ground dry out too much for their charge. If O’Neill gets the fractions right, he could be a tough horse to pass.

With a mark of 70 the next best in is Ritasun for Harry Whittington. He has shown the pick of his form on an artificial surface with his five runs on turf in this discipline all a fair way below his best on sand. The same owners are also represented by Rita’s Man who sports first time cheekpieces. He ran well over a mile at the end of May at Windsor but has not got close to that since. He picked up back to back handicaps earlier in the season so he has the ability to go close if in the right frame of mind.

Another to sport first time cheekpieces is Leopard. He has shown his best form at Beverley and Carlisle, similar tracks to one another, with no ground preference. He has a little to find with the principals, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the new headgear works to see him challenging for a frame place in a weak contest. Maraakib isn’t the most consistent, but a place at Epsom at the end of August from a mark of 71 would put him right in the mix. He is a previous winner over this course and distance on soft ground so a return to form makes him dangerous.

Redcar is a left handed oval of about thirteen furlongs round with sharp bends and long straights. There are a few small undulations but the course is primarily flat with a run of about five furlongs from the home turn. Lady Volante is officially fifth best in at the weights of the ten runners but has the form in the book to run into a place providing she settles. Miningrocks generally sets a solid pace from the front so if she drops her head to give her the best chance of getting home, she is worth an each way tickle at 20/1 or so. Maraakib would be the one to beat if he arrives at the top of his game. He has a win over this course and distance on soft ground so conditions will hold no fears for him. Good luck to all connections, fingers crossed all return safe and sound.