BOSH CATCHES THE EYE AT TESTING NEWMARKET
THE going stick reading suggests the going is testing at Newbury, but that is exacerbated by the track being “vertidrained” which leads to lower readings and a drying breeze can see conditions quicken up over the next day or so.
I’d expect it to ride on the dead side of good and selections are based on that assumption.
BOSH (2.15, Nap) catches the eye in the 6f Dubai Duty Free Handicap, as he’s been in good form this winter and I’m pretty hopeful he can carry that improvement over to turf now.
Richard Hannon’s gelding had some classy form as a juvenile, the highlight probably his second to Sacred Bridge in the Ballyhane (Auction) Stakes at Naas, before predictably proving hard to place the following year.
Bosh has bounced back to form on the all-weather this winter, showing steady improvement on each start.
His record on good or softer reads 2124, based on Timeform going descriptions, for what it’s worth.
Trip
In the Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd Silver Bar Handicap, EDUCATOR (3.45) has yet to win at two miles but there’s no doubting he gets the trip, having caught the eye staying on both times he’s tried it in the last six months.
Rated in the 90s with William Haggas, Educator is now 8lb lower than when a close fourth to Oceanline at Ascot last October, he has shaped better than the bare result more than once in a short stint with his current yard, and he’s going to pop up at some point.
It might well be here and with the ground drying, conditions ought not be a problem.
Over at Ayr, CATCH HIM DERRY (2.20) is a standout in the Get Home Safe With Thistle Cabs Handicap Hurdle 3m70y
Second to stablemate Gwennie May Boy at Bangor last time, the impression is he’s been set aside for this meeting ever since.
Prior to Bangor, Catch
Him Derry had run out a ready winner over an extended 3m at Southwell, on the back of which he was favourite to beat Gwennie May Boy but was unable to resist the late surge of the winner.
A mistake at the last and the loss of his whip did not help.
Caught
DODDIETHEGREAT (3.20) looks hard to oppose in the Coral ‘We’re Here For It’ Handicap Hurdle 2m5f91y.
A winner over 2m5f as a novice before a long absence, he’d been campaigned at shorter this season, and caught the eye when staying on from a poor track position in the Betfair Hurdle.
Prior to the Betfair, he was a good second to subsequent Imperial Cup winner Go Dante and looks very well handicapped.