Holy Bambino, Batman... Adam’s Lola can win it!
ADAM WEST may not be a trainer familiar to many racegoers, but the Epsom handler could raise his profile courtesy of victory for BAMBINO LOLA (York, 3.35) today.
West shares his name with the actor fondly remembered for playing Batman in the 1960s, so he will be looking for a heroic performance from his filly on the Knavesmire and there is a chance she might have been underestimated by the market judged on her latest effort at Goodwood.
The daughter of Helmet paid for chasing a frenetic early gallop that day, but still possessed the quality to finish an honourable fifth, just one place behind Maverick Officer, form which was boosted when he won a strong Haydock handicap.
Bambino Lola’s efforts were particularly meritorious as her fellow pacesetter, Neola, could only beat one of her 16 rivals home, yet West’s three-year-old possessed the quality to remain pitching for a place when her winning chance had gone.
The return to six furlongs should play to the strengths of a filly which clearly boasts plenty of early speed and a handy middle draw.
While this is a competitive race, her morning odds are derisory for a horse that was only beaten three lengths in a Group Three as a juvenile and she would probably be half the odds trained by a more high-profile handler.
There are a number of dangers and Citron Major was close to being the selection following his Ripon success last time. Not many sprinters manage to come from off the pace at the Yorkshire venue to win in the style he did and his stable have done wonderfully well with their sprinters.