Llancarfan handler Evan Williams did this column a good turn
when Tornado In Milan won at Plumpton on Monday in the colours of Angela
Rucker, and I’m hopeful the same combination can come up trumps again today.
The pair are represented in a competitive handicap at Wincanton (15:30) by the
progressive Islandmagee, a recruit from the
Crawford yard near Larne from which the name derives.
Islandmagee had hinted at improvement before landing a
conditional jockeys’ contest at Kempton last time under Adam Wedge, and while
that was a rather messy contest, there are reasons for believing the son of
Heron Island is much better than the bare result. The slow pace rather
flattered runner-up Star of Massini, who was able to dictate, and it was no
great surprise to see him beaten by the aforementioned Tornado In Milan the
other day, but both the winner and the third did well to come from off that
stop/start gallop, and Thundering Home backed that point up by winning well at
Sandown on Friday. Wedge was at pains to put the selection into the race
as late as possible at Kempton, and a minor error at the last mean that he was
only able to put his head in front on the line. It was obvious that he was
going like much the best horse from some way out, however, and he’s likely to
prove that point today, when a stronger gallop is sure to suit his style of
racing.
There are plenty of dangers despite the small field, and In
The Crowd is the only one who can’t be fancied.
Suerte Al Salto and Tiny Tenor both give the impression there’s more to
come now they go handicapping for the first time, while Home Run and Xaarcet
have been making hay already at this level, and can boast 8 wins between them
this season. That quartet all command respect, and the hope is that the current
odds on Islandmagee will drift as race time
approaches. Such a scenario would be no great concern, for all he makes plenty
of appeal at current odds.
Over at Bangor, I’m hoping that the form of another recent
selection can be boosted by Bobby Dove in the 17f
handicap chase for novices at 16:50. Bobby Dove is a son of 1994 Champion
Hurdle winner Flakey Dove, and like most from that renowned damline, races in
the red and yellow colours of the Price family. He showed little in his early
starts, but has improved over fences of late, and caught my eye when attempting
to give Denali Highway a race at Leicester in December. He duly built on that
promise when winning next time, and was rather unlucky not to follow up at
Ludlow a week ago, looking sure to overhaul Oranger when a last-fence error saw
him lose vital momentum. His jumping remains a minor worry, but the fences at
Bangor are more forgiving than most, and this looks a weaker contest.
Tara Rose
was suited by the run of the race when giving an idling Violin Davis a scare
here last time, and may be flattered by that bare form, especially with the
drop in trip a slight negative, and the main danger looks to be Victor Dartnall’s
Starsky des Mottes, who is gradually progressive, and ran his best race when
second at Uttoxeter last time. A 5 lb rise for that defeat looks enough,
though, and Bobby Dove looks the clear pick of the
weights.
Recommendations:
Back Islandmagee
in the 15:30 Wincanton @ [4.5] (NAP)
Back Bobby
Dove in the 16:50 Bangor @ [3.5] (NB)
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