Gallen ready to give Murphy a happy Olly-day
IN-FORM HURDLER WON’T BE CAUGHT FLAT-FOOTED
KEMPTON
1.00 MAFIA POWER
showed enough on his debut last back end to suggest a win would be a formality this season.
Not unbacked at 7-1 for an 11-runner novice event over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October, Richard Hannon’s son of Gleneagles stayed on well to take fourth to King Leonidas and there should be plenty more to come over this additional three furlongs.
1.35 ST GALLEN
found a new lease of life over hurdles for Olly Murphy and it would be no surprise to see him do likewise on the Flat.
The ex-Irish gelding scored at Market Rasen and Kelso before a below-par run in the valuable Summer Handicap Hurdle at the former track last July and has room for manoeuvre with his current mark back on the level.
2.10 JUST THAT LORD
has scored off this mark and on Polytrack – so makes appeal on his first outing since a wind operation.
Luke Morris combined with Michael Attwater’s seven-year-old for sprint wins at Wolverhampton and Epsom in the first half of last year and the fact my selection has won after a break is another boost to his chance.
2.45 GOLDEN BEAR
looks good on paper as he attempts to repay a first instalment of his 100,000gns purchase price.
Sire Kodiac sires twoyear-old sprint winners in his sleep and dam Golden Flower twice hit the target at five furlongs when trained by David O’Meara, so the pedigree is there – and market support for Charlie Fellowes’ (below) newcomer would be of interest.
3.20 COLD FRONT
was winning everywhere bar the line at Newbury last October on his debut — and compensation lies in store.
James Doyle’s mount looked set to collect before With Respect rattled home for a last-gasp victory.
That experience won’t be lost on William Haggas’ runner, who is expected to go one better.
3.55
IMRAHOR did enough at the first time of asking to suggest a maiden would prove within his compass.
A 12-1 shot in a field nine at Newbury last September, Hugo Palmer’s son of Kingman ran a fine race to finish a one-length second to Cherokee Trail.
The third horse, beaten an additional five lengths, won next time and there should be more to come.
4.30 RETROSPECT
has had the odd bump in the road but is taken for a winning debut. A half-brother by Frankel to three-time Group 1 hero Rip Van Winkle, he fetched 850,000gns at the sales and, although unraced at two – and gelded – Roger Varian’s representative should be thereabouts at the end.
5.05
MALIKA I JAHAN has the potential do do better after a switch to Mick Appleby.
The daughter of Australia didn’t pull up any trees in three attempts for David Lanigan – her best run was when second of three at Chelmsford last September – but she competes from a modest mark and Appleby improving a horse from another yard wouldn’t make the Ten O’Clock News.
5.40 RODNEY LE ROC
has an excellent chance of revenge after his Wolverhampton defeat by Rocketeer 85 days ago. The pair were separated by threequarters of a length at Dunstall Park last time but Rodney Le Roc was arguably unsuited by coming from the back in a race where it paid to be handy, and can turn things round on 3lb better terms.