Elsals can get the job done
ELSALS looks on an appealing mark as he sets out in the handicap sphere at Haydock.
A 140,000 guineas purchase by Kevin Philippart de Foy last autumn, Elsals had shown promise in one juvenile outing for Richard Hannon before being sent to the sales as part of the Shadwell cutbacks.
Connections would surely have had high hopes on his initial run at Lingfield but he could finish only fifth as an odds-on shot, prompting his trainer to geld him – a decision that seemingly paid dividends last time.
Upward
Lining up on the Lingfield turf, Elsals made all over seven furlongs, looking decent value for the official margin of two and a quarter lengths in the process.
The handicapper has given him an initial perch of 78 and that could prove good value in the Join Racing TV Now Handicap.
Reel Rosie can keep on her current upward curve in the racingtv.com Fillies’Handicap.
Second to Gatecrasher Girl first time up – form that now longs pretty strong with that horse now three from three for the year – Reel Rosie went one better at Newmarket when seeing off Convection by a comfortable four lengths, with that rival having been just under two lengths behind in third previously at Nottingham.
Reel Rosie has been hiked 9lb for that victory, but given she will be having just her fifth career start here, there is reason to hope there is a fair bit left in the locker yet.
Changing Colours can initiate a double for Charlie Appleby in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes.
He was beaten just a neck on his racecourse debut at Yarmouth and could well have won had he not jumped a path early on and ran very green at certain points.
The experience should not be lost on him, with similar comments applying to Courageous Knight in the Marie Foran Acsil And Past Members Novice Stakes.
He started over six furlongs at Nottingham but was keeping on all the way in fourth, suggesting this swift move up to seven should be to his benefit.
Sticking with the Godolphin theme, Secret Moment can hit the target for Saeed bin Suroor in Kempton’s Try Our New Price Boosts At Unibet Handicap.
A winner at the backend of last year, Secret Moment bumped into the admirable Whittle Le Woods on his return in April with that race-fit rival having his measure by half a length.
Compensation surely now awaits.
Sparkle
State Secretary outran his 25-1 odds to finish fourth at Yarmouth and will try to step up on that in the Happy 60th Birthday Karen Yallop Handicap back at the seaside.
Chookie Dunedin should not find a 4lb rise for a recent Ayr win beyond him as he lines up in the Sparkle And Shine Christmas Party Nights Handicap at Hamilton, while Good News can proved to be just that for his supporters in Fontwell’s Download The At The Races App Handicap Hurdle.
DAILY DOUBLE Elsals (3.30 Haydock) Reel Rosie (4.05 Haydock)