MAKE THE SMART CALL
Smart Call can make her class tell as she returns to action in the Betfred “Home Of Goals Galore” Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton tomorrow.
Sir Michael Stoute’s runner could certainly do with a confidence boost as she has not actually won since landing the J&B Met at Kenilworth, in her native South Africa, back in January 2016.
She made a fine start to her European career when reappearing at York last May, conceding weight to some useful rivals to finish third in the Middleton at York on what was her first outing in over a year.
The six-year-old then ran another decent race when fourth at Royal Ascot, but could not really kick on from there and eventually ended the year in Hong Kong, where she proved no match for the likes of Highland Reel in the Vase.
A high draw hardly helped her cause at Sha Tin and it really summed up what was a slightly lacklustre campaign.
However, it is perhaps telling connections have opted to persevere this season and Smart Call would appear to have been given a perfect opportunity to open her British account, as she is upwards of 9lb better off with each of her rivals here under the conditions of the race.
The all-weather is an unknown factor, but a mile is certainly a fair trip for her and it will be disappointing if she cannot get her head in front.
Inn The Bull has been a revelation since switching to the all-weather this year and can keep up the good work in the Betfred “Watch Sky Sports In Our Shops” Queen’s Prize Handicap.
Alan King’s runner is seeking a four-timer, having won twice at Wolverhampton and once at Kempton since February.
He has shot up 18lb in the ratings via those three victories, but the way he battled back to win a decent contest over half a mile shorter at this venue last time out suggested he may not be done yet.
Inn The Bull switches up to two miles for this assignment and that should hold no fears.
Kings Shield looks unlikely to be taking up his 2000 Guineas entry at this stage – but a win in the Betfred “Like Us On Facebook” Conditions Stakes might encourage connections to raise their sights a bit.
This Scat Daddy colt made a highly-favourable impression when winning on his racecourse debut, defying his evident inexperience to win by a length and a quarter as an odds-on favourite.
While he did that nicely enough, he was probably value for a bit more than the winning margin as he did drift in the closing stages and could turn out to be a nice type for John Gosden.
Masaarr is another who is currently still entered in the Newmarket Classic and he can pick up where he left off last year in the fclgf.com Novice Stakes at Wolverhampton.
He shaped with promise when third on his debut at Newmarket, then won in a novice heat at Lingfield in November, making light work of his rivals. Roger Varian should have plenty to look forward to with the Distorted Humor colt.