Man alive!
CHAIR GETS VOTE
KICK START the turf Flat season by casting your punting vote for CHAIRMAN OFTHEBOARD (3.20) in a very competitive sprint handicap at Doncaster today. Jack Channon’s sprinter hasn’t had his ideal soft ground since a close fourth to Magical Spirit in a better contest over the course and distance in October and now finds himself off a mark 7lb lower. The selection is best when allowed to lob along at the rear of the field and set alight late off a fast pace, which seems guaranteed here. Provided William Buick can secure a clear passage, I fancy him to take care of the likes of the well treated Able Kane and the race-fit Dream Composer. Today’s deep ground is sure to be the biggest factor at the Town Moor track, but such conditions look spot on for FIRST OFFICER (3.55) in the mile and a quarter handicap.
The four-year-old has form figures of 124 on soft or heavy ground and a mark of 86 looks very fair based on his onepaced third to Zealot off 88 at Chelmsford last month.
GLORY FIGHTER (5.40) is a speedster that is hard to pin down on a going day, but he has his easiest opening for some time in the Town Moor finale. Paul Midgeley’s charge has Ey Up It’s Maggie to worry about most.
I was lucky enough to be at Longchamp the day that DENMARK (3.45) made his second career start in the Criterium, finishing a gallant short neck second to Souzak.
Physically he was a long way from the finished product that day and can lay down an Epsom Derby marker in the Group Three Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.
Earlier, I will be keeping a close eye on Joseph O’Brien’s MADLY TRULY (3.10) in the 1,000 Guineas Trial. This daughter of Cracksman was always going to make a better three-year-old and she can take another big Classic step forward here against the equally exciting Tarawa.
FAKIERA (4.00) may be able to reverse Fairyhouse form with stablemate Punitive in the slug fest of the 3m4f Randox Ulster Handicap Chase at Downpatrick.
The selection is a dour stayer and this will be a lot easier than running against Gaillard Du Mesnil at the Cheltenham Festival.
AFADIL (3.00) got too far back in the Boodles at Cheltenham and has a right old chance off a mark of 121 at Ascot, but the best bet at the Berkshire track could come in the form of KRAQUELINE (4.10) in the novices’ handicap hurdle.
The Kerry Lee charge has run well here before and looks as though she is crying out for a deep test of stamina.