Friday All-Weather Feast & a 77/1 Acca

Our attention is firmly focused on the Cheltenham Festival which is just two months away. We have a mega Antepost acca formed of Christmas winners, as well as a look at all the Antepost favourites.

We’re still keeping one eye open on the All-Weather racing though, with Friday seeing a feast of action for you flat-racing fans. Here’s three runners from Dundalk, Lingfield and Wolverhampton who caught the eye, and form part of a 77/1 treble. Be sure to make use of all our tips and analysis, including the action live on ITV this Saturday from Kempton and Warwick.

Polytrack Specialist

Michael Appleby has numerous All-Weather specialists within his ranks. He has another on his hands in the form of Mohareb, who has won three times on the All-Weather since leaving Saeed bin Suroor.

The Delegator gelding has won all three of his starts on Polytrack for his new stable. He followed a cosy novice win at Chelmsford with a handicap victory over six at Lingfield from a mark of 79. Placed twice on Tapeta subsequently, he returned to Lingfield with a taking success on New Year’s Day, defying top weight in great style.

He’s up two grades today, running in a competitive six-runner Class Two event. He looks more than ready for the graduation though, and despite shouldering a five pound penalty, he receives weight from all bar one. Given his upward trajectory on this surface and at this venue, he makes plenty appeal.

Top Trainer

The Monmouthshire based David Evans enjoyed a productive year at Wolverhampton in 2019. His stable saddled 135 runners at the venue, of which twenty-four scored. Two of these came courtesy of the six-year-old Herm, who completed a course double here in the latter months of the year.

Returning from a 162 day break, the gelding made light work of a twelve-runner Classified Stakes contest. An eight pound rise for that effort failed to anchor him next time out. On his first start over fourteen furlongs, he stayed on gamely to score by a neck from a mark of 56.

He was far too keen when seeking a three-timer on the 27th December, dropping out tamely over fourteen furlongs. A drop back in trip is well suited however, and an apprentice takes a valuable five off his back. As a result, this four-time course winner is effectively two pounds lower than when scoring a month ago. A return to winning ways looks imminent.

Top Jockey

No jockey enjoyed greater success on the Polytrack at Dundalk than Colin Keane last year. The top jockey rode twenty-seven winners at the venue, operating at a remarkable £48.84 profit. He’s started 2020 in fine form, riding two winners from just five rides.

Confidence will no doubt be high as he travels to the course on Friday for five rides. His best chance of success looks sure to come from the filly Ela Katrina. Formerly trained by Roger Varian, she’s related to a number of smart sorts including Grade Two winner Pallasator.

She improved with each of her three starts for her old stable, ending her time in England with a creditable second to a horse now rated 92. She faces nothing of that quality today on her stable debut, running for the Ger Lyons’ yard whose sole runner in 2020 was partnered to success by Colin Keane last Friday. This ten furlong maiden is at her mercy.