Let’s hear it for Ed Dunlop’s Global Applause at Salisbury
- Global Applause will be having just his second run of the year today in the British Stallion Studs EBF Bathwick Tyres Conditions Stakes, but it would be dangerous to ignore him at Salisbury.
Ed Dunlop's runner enjoyed an exceptional two-year-old campaign in 2016, beating top juvenile Mehmas when winning the National Stakes at Sandown before finishing a creditable fifth in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot.
He also hit the frame in Group company at Glorious Goodwood and York's Ebor meeting before being beaten just under three lengths to leading sprinter Harry Angel in the Mill Reef on his
London
final start of the year.
Global Applause was then off the track until August this year, when he made a decent return against older horses in a conditions heat at Doncaster.
Third of four behind Gifted Master, the Mayson colt deserved plenty of credit and the run certainly showed he has trained on again this term.
He has a handy pull in the weights based on ratings and while 1400m is new ground, Global Applause looks game for the challenge.
For these reasons he has been made today’s Nap bet.
Made Of Honour turned in a thoroughly lacklustre performance last time but should be given chance to redeem herself in the Leslie Burton (Fisher) Handicap at Pontefract.
She lost her maiden tag at the third attempt at Ayr in May but did not turn out again until the beginning of last month when she cut no ice at all on her handicap debut.
A mark of 78 certainly did not appear to be pitching too high so it is probably best to put a line through that effort and hope for better on the step up to a 1600m here.
The Wagon Wheel can gain that all-important first Listed success in the EBF Musselburgh Fillies' Sprint Stakes at the Scottish venue.
Trainer Richard Fahey must have been slightly frustrated following her recent Beverley third at this level as The Wagon Wheel was at the back and struggling at one point before finding plenty in the finish to be beaten just 1.25 lengths.
Take Cover and Final Venture proved too good that day, but the merits of those two established performers are well known and there was little disgrace in The Wagon Wheel's effort. –