Raven’s set to swoop
RAVEN’S LADY let down her supporters on her final start last year, but she can kick off 2018 in better fashion with victory in the 32Red.com Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Wolverhampton.
The four-year-old appeared to be shaping into a useful performer when beaten less than a length in Listed company on her penultimate start, but she flopped as an odds-on favourite at Chelmsford last August.
Marco Botti’s runner raced far too keenly that day before being beaten two lengths in fourth, finding little when push came to shove at the end of seven furlongs.
She has previously won over that trip, though, so the distance here raises no alarm bells, and if she can be persuaded to switch off a bit more through the early stages, the conditions of the race certainly give her every chance.
Udontdodou ended last year with two wins in three starts and can pick up where he left off in the Bet toteexacta At betfred.com Handicap at Chelmsford.
He showed a particular aptitude for the Essex circuit when winning off a mark of 87 in June, before a slightly lacklustre effort in July was supplemented with another win in September.
He lines up off an 11lb higher mark now and while he has a lengthy absence to overcome, Richard Guest’s charge looks a progressive individual whom it could pay to keep onside.
Native Arrow can strike for Charlie Appleby in the Bet toteplacepot At betfred.com Novice Stakes.
A 120,000 purchase, he hails from a fine family and can make an immediate impact on his racecourse bow.
Fellow Godolphin runner Kaser should also be in the money in Newcastle’s 32Red. com Novice Stakes.
Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Kaser was beaten by an Appleby runner when evens favourite on his debut but should improve for the experience.
In contrast, Pearl Acclaim has few secrets as he makes his 62nd career start in the Betway Sprint Handicap.
The eight-year-old has hit a purple patch recently, winning two of his last three starts and finishing second under a double penalty on his most recent effort.
Giving away just short of 2st on that occasion, his three-quarter-length eclipse was most impressive and he remains one to watch.
Uppertown Prince can make it two wins in two starts at Bangor in the Stella Artois Supporting BangorOn-Dee Novices’ Hurdle.
Winner of a point to point last February, he subsequently changed hands for #35,000 and judged on his initial seven-length success here last month, he could turn out to be a shrewd purchase by Donald McCain.