Got Gift of the Gab
GABRIAL can claim a long overdue victory in the Pomfret Stakes at Pontefract.
The gelded son of Dark Angel has been an admirable servant to trainer Richard Fahey and owner Dr Marwan Koukash over the years and is now in his seventh training in season.
From 66 starts he has hit the bullseye on eight occasions, including a Lincoln triumph at Doncaster, while 21 placed efforts include him finishing third in the 2015 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
The eight-year-old has undoubtedly been a victim of his own success, with the handicapper unable to relent too much as he has run several excellent races in defeat in exalted company.
He was last seen finishing a creditable fourth in Ascot’s Summer Mile, for instance, beaten a shade over five lengths by the top-class Mutakayyef.
There is nothing of that quality in this Listed event, though, and it would be great to see him return to the winner’s circle for the first time in over a year.
Avon Breeze returns to Pontefract having won at the track nine days ago and this six furlongs should suit more.
The eight-year-old mare is in the form of her life and is only a couple of pounds off her highest ever mark, despite her advancing years.
This is a competitive affair but the way she rattled home over five furlongs was impressive and she is another example of a mare running out of her skin when in foal.
She might not want too much rain but she should run her race in the sixfurlong handicap.
Sharja Bridge shaped very well on debut at Haydock and will take some beating in the one-mile maiden.
The Oasis Dream colt looked in need of the experience when beaten less than a length into third but Roger Varian’s charge should have benefited from that.
Dawnieriver can get back on the winning trial in a three-mile handicap chase at Uttoxeter.
Michael Scudamore got plenty of improvement out of the mare last season, her rating rising from 93 to 114.
She looked in need of a break when fourth of four at Fontwell in May but the ground was quick that day and she had been on the go since October.
Freshened up, she may have more to offer this season.
Work In Progress is fancied to complete a hat-trick for Dan and Harry Skelton in an intriguing novice chase over two and a half miles.
The seven-year-old was disappointing on his first two starts over fences last winter, but has really grasped the nettle on his last two starts.
With the combination of a tonguestrap and a sound surface seemingly having the desired effect, Work In Progress has bolted up twice at Market Rasen.
And while recent Worcester scorer Forever Field and the returning Solatentif are worthy of respect, Skelton’s charge is difficult to oppose in his current mood.