Nostamina doubts over Fort Bastion
GIVEN that there are severe stamina doubts attached to 91-rated Gramarcy, the opening claimer at Beverley should play into the hands of infrequent winner, Fort Bastion.
A talented miler, the son of Lawman has the ability to achieve much more than he has. Not even the skills of Richard Fahey and Ruth Carr could turn him round.
Now with David O’Meara, the seven-year-old nicked a Class 3 handicap at Ayr last May. The drop into this grade should be enough to see him a winner once again.
Fahey’s Gramarcy has never been tried at a mile and, indeed, is better at six furlongs than seven. Although in good form, he is passed over, specially on this stiff track.
Several of the field for the one-and-a-half-mile handicap have stamina questions to answer, too. But no such worry is attached to Alan Swinbanks’ four-yearold, Skiddaw Valleys.
The handicapper has been in control since he won a similar event off 71 at Ripon in June. But he has now slipped to 72 and, with Tony Hamilton aboard, he has a pilot who is an expert round here.
Given that he won a onemile six-furlong handicap at Catterick in July last year, the selection will be running through the finish line, while rivals will be conserving every ounce of energy.
Eve Johnson Houghton has her string in great form and Spinning Pearl has sound prospects in a seller at Goodwood, where the 11-furlong trip could be ideal.