Gift horse is too good to overlook at Chelmsford
PANDORA’S Gift can strike at Listed level in the Ire-incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes at Chelmsford today.
The Stuart Williams-trained daughter of Churchill has barely put a foot wrong in four starts on the allweather so far, finishing second on debut at Chelmsford before returning to win at the track by four lengths in December.
Both runs were over six furlongs, giving her course and distance form, and since then she has triumphed twice more in good style at both Southwell and Lingfield.
That form points to her being ready for this step up in grade, especially as there have been several subsequent winners behind her.
John and Thady Gosden’s Lautrec looks the pick in the It’s Never Ordinary At bet365 Novice Stakes over 10 furlongs.
The Juddmonte-owned threeyear-old is one of only a handful of entrants to have taken to the track already, winning a one-mile maiden on the all-weather at
Newcastle in November.
The Kingman colt has an eyecatching pedigree, too, as he is out of the Group-winning mare Cabaret, making him a half-brother to a 2000 Guineas winner in Magna Grecia and a multiple Group One champion in the brilliant St Mark’s Basilica.
The trip will suit, judged on what he did last time, and it is interesting he has a Dante entry.
Karl Burke’s Arabie catches the eye in the British EBF Maiden Stakes at Doncaster.
The Dandy Man colt has already made his debut, placing second in a Thirsk maiden when beaten three-quarters of a length.
He was beaten then by a horse that was previously a close fourth in the Brocklesby, and his pedigree is also encouraging as his dam, Mamma Morton, has produced 11 winners and three black-type performers.
Charlie Appleby’s Coronado King can start as he means to go on in the At The Races App Form Study Maiden Stakes.
The Exceed and Excel colt makes his debut in a small field and is wellrelated enough to garner some interest as he cuts his teeth.
At Lingfield in the Free Digital Racecard At raceday-ready.com Fillies’ Novice Stakes it is Simon and Ed Crisford’s Rosa Applause who can come out on top.
The Blue Point bay was third on debut when beaten only a length, the form from which has been working out neatly as there were three subsequent winners in the race.
After that run Rosa Applause was sent to Wolverhampton to win a novice by four lengths, form that puts her firmly in the frame for this.
Day three at Punchestown features two Grade One events, including the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase.
Willie Mullins’ Gaelic Warrior is undoubtedly the one to beat there, fresh from winning the Arkle at Cheltenham by eight and a half lengths.
The other Grade One is the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle, where another Festival hero looks set to strike again with Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo sure to be a popular choice.