No Al-ternative to Haggas flyer in Wetherby bid
Al Tarmaah (3.40) is poised to maintain the flying form of William Haggas.
The HQ trainer has made a typically sharp beginning to the campaign and has placed this four-year-old into a Class 4 handicap.
Al Tarmaah came along steadily during last term and the final outing of three produced a nice success at Redcar after relatively uninspiring efforts at
Doncaster and Haydock.
There are some tough sorts in opposition and it’s not going to be an easy task but Haggas is a master at finding the right races and, if he thinks slinging this one up to Wetherby is a worthwhile move, it’s a notable choice.
ABATE (4.10) is a tough customer and ran 10 times in four months last season after the lifting of lockdown.
Adrian Nicholls’ charge returned in decent enough form with a second place at Ripon and that may have put him spot on for today’s challenge in the hands of Tony Hamilton.
There’s an eight-race card down on the south coast at Salisbury and the afternoon is littered with tricky affairs involving young horses.
BRASCA (4.30) has just four rivals to defeat in the one mile and four contest.
The five-year-old has had a sharpener on the all-weather last month to get ready for this assignment.
The final race of their afternoon is fascinating with a couple of the jumps boys having a pop at the long-distance prize.
Neil Mulholland is one of them and his HIDDEN DEPTHS (5.30) is worthy of consideration. The six-year-old spent the winter in National Hunt action running some decent races.
However, before embarking on the campaign over timber, his last two efforts on the Flat brought wins at Bath.
Mulholland may well have had an eye on the return to the level and this very race since Brian Hughes rode him into fourth around Newcastle way back in November.
It’s worth a shot.
Navan stages good action in Ireland with the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes the highlight of their card.
SANTIAGO (4.20), who was the winner of the Irish Derby last year, has a big chance to get his season off to a winning start with the angle of freshness no issue on evidence of 2020.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt was good enough to land the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot when first sighted last term and a run to anything like that level and he’ll be winning this one. Ryan Moore takes the ride and, provided he is able to fully get the trip, it should make the journey worthwhile.
The top-class pilot also has outstanding claims aboard another O’Brien inmate in the Listed Salsabil Stakes.
WILLOW (3.50) was a very convincing victor of a Leopardstown maiden before signing off for the winter and can have the beating of rivals.
Moore and O’Brien could have a big day with LIPIZZANER (3.20) in the Committed Stakes.
Defeats to subsequent Group 1 winner Lucky Vega at Naas and a fine effort in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in Keeneland suggest a big year ahead.
Santiago can get his season off to the best possible start at Navan