Snaith holds the whip hand

JUSTIN Snaith (pictured), who currently heads the national trainers log with 29 winners, can add substantially to his tally with strong contenders in nearly all of the races on the Durbanville card this afternoon.

Where he will miss out is in the fourth, the card’s top-liner, as he does not have a runner and the consistent gelding Ovar can add to his winning tally.

Andre Nel’s five-year-old is hardly ever out of the money and although he faces a third rematch with top weight Olympian who beat him last time out, there is a substantial turnover in weight which could swing the pendulum back in Ovar’s favour

Ovar

It’s one all between the two with Ovar beating Olympian back in July giving the second-placed Olympian 7kg.

When next that met there was only a kilo between the two with Olympian finishing the stronger to score by over three lengths.

Today, Ovar is in receipt of 8kg and that should be more than enough to turn the tables.

But they are not the only two in with winning chances. Captain Bagg and Buckinghamshire both make some appeal as does Al Wahed.

Captain Bagg went walkabout in the betting at his last outing and accordingly never featured.

However, he was coughing post-race.

Before that he had beaten Buckinghamshire and it may be the turn of Darryl Hodgson’s runner given that he carries a postage stamp and has his fourth outing for the yard.

Al Wahed is quick but Richard Fourie puts up a kilo overweight on Mike Stewart’s runner and that could put paid to the gelding’s chances in a competitive handicap even given Fourie’s undoubted talent.

The selection is for Ovar to get home ahead of Buckinghamshire and Captain Bagg.

With only seven races carded the PA reported to be starts in the first where the Snaithtrained Konkola can improve on his modest debut effort as he should prefer this extended trip.

Mike Robinson’s decision to fit Pin Pot with blinkers proved an inspired move as she made major improvement.

She also has a prime draw which adds to her appeal and she can be a threat.

Fort Ruby and Silver Laurel look the pair most likely to fight out the second.

Snaith’s filly Fort Ruby improved nicely on her debut effort and is the pick of the pair.

Given that he wins the first two races Snaith can warm up for a hattrick with the Var colt Over Drive.

Over Drive has only had a single outing and that was back in January so his fitness must be take on trust. However, he did start even money favourite on debut and only found one to beat him.

He looks a smart horse given time and he could prove a little too classy for the opposition.

Lucky Tuesday impressed when winning last time and can follow up in the fifth, a modest handicap.

The biggest threat could come in the form of Anneline who won well on debut and then followed that up with a great run behind Moonblanched and deserves healthy respect.

Northern Ballet

Northern Ballet in the sixth is another Snaith runner in with a strong chance having won her last two.

She has not been unduly punished by the handicappers, possibly as a result of taking seven starts to shed her maiden and with Fourie back in the irons she again looks competitive.

In the final race of the afternoon, Black Parrot can round off a lucrative day for Snaith.

The colt has improved with racing and looks ready to win as he steps up to a trip that should be more to his liking.

Andrew Fortune, chasing hard for his second jockey’s title, will pin his hopes on Carbon Offset who along with Cardiff Castle make up a possible trifecta.