A STUDY IN SUCCESS
The Time is right for Johnston’s classy stayer at Musselburgh
in Newbury’s London Gold Cup first time up at three.
A stiff step up in trip brought about plenty more improvement from the four-year-old who outpointed Alabaster on his first try at 1m 6f in the Edinburgh Cup here last June.
The Grade 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot proved a step too far but TIME TO STUDY (3.35) hit back with a game defeat of Byron
Flyer in the Mallard at Doncaster in September.
The gelding didn’t stay 2m 2f at Newmarket next time but he signed off by slamming the useful
Duke Of Bronte off a mark of 102 over 1m 5f at Newbury.
Tough as well as talented, the son of Motivator looks open to plenty more improvement at four for his skilled handler who has made another flying start to the new campaign.
The opening Toteplacepot Handicap is not one for the Easter egg money but I’m keen on TWIN
APPEAL (1.50). David Barron’s gelding has a respectable record at the Lothian venue and will be fitter than most after a fair fifth at Wolverhampton last month.
The seven-year-old has only been hiked 2lb by the assessor for that effort and can return to winning ways back on turf at his favourite venue. ALPHA DELPHINI (2.25) also loves Musselburgh and he looks a warm order in the Borderlescott Sprint Trophy.
The seven-year-old has been a terrific servant to Bryan Smart and ended last season with a decisive defeat of Ornate over course and distance in the Flying Scotsman. The son of Captain
Gerrard usually goes well fresh and is well-drawn to attack under Graham Lee from Stall 3.
Kevin Ryan’s AYUTTHAYA (3.00) should be streets ahead of his rivals in the Royal Mile. A good second to the high-class
Elarqam in a York maiden in September, the colt soon opened his account with stacks in hand at Chester next time. Those efforts marked the son of
Lope De Vega out as one to watch for this season and he can take another step forward off a reasonable opening mark of 86.
ITV4 are also showing three from Haydock where CREEP
DESBOIS (2.05) is a big threat in the Middle Distance Chase Final.
A useful hurdler, Ben Pauling’s charge has taken well to chasing, scoring at Fakenham in December then finishing second to Colin’s
Brother in a better event at Leicester.
The six-year-old is still unexposed over the larger obstacles and can claim the biggest success of his career with plenty more progress on the cards. WILLIAM OF ORANGE (2.40) can reign for Donald McCain in the competitive Two Mile Hurdle Series Final. The seven-year-old was fair on the Flat and was clearly starting to find his feet over timber with some eye-catching runs at Wetherby and Doncaster in December.
A wind operation brought about more improvement when the gelding was third in a ‘Jumpers Bumper’ at Newcastle, an effort which will have put him spot on for today.
Plenty of sound options in the Staying Chase Series but I’m keen on SHANROE IN MILAN (3.15).
Charlie Longsdon’s gelding didn’t show much tackling 2m 4f over fences but looked a different proposition when scoring cosily over three miles at Doncaster.
The six-year-old was doing all his best work late on Town Moor and can follow up under talented 5lb claimer Paul O’Brien over this extra two furlongs.
Ayutthaya should be streets ahead for shrewd Ryan in the Royal Mile at Musselburgh