Another busy Friday and the horseboxes will be braving the Bank Holiday traffic by heading to three tracks with five horses in action. The highlight must be SWEET PURSUIT (pictured) bidding to achieve a Ffos Las four-timer at the Welsh track this afternoon but she does face a tougher task up in grade.
SWEET PURSUIT – 2:50 Ffos Las ATR
After a difficult start to the season, the Pastoral Pursuit filly has had a brilliant summer with three wins at Ffos Las and she returns to the track under a six-pound penalty for last week’s success as she bids for a pretty historic four timer. That win came on her favoured soft ground and she was very impressive when winning by two and a quarter lengths, the handicapper has raised her seven pounds for that victory so she is effectively a pound well in under her penalty. However, she steps up from class 5 company to class 3 and she also faces 15 rivals which certainly makes life much harder but she is in the form of her life and no horse will be more effective under today’s conditions.
SIR RODERIC – 5:15 Salisbury RUK
It has been a frustrating season for Sir Roderic, who looked to be running into some form when third at York and Kempton but the summer heatwave has side tracked him somewhat as the kickback didn’t suit him on the AW and ground was too quick to race on the turf. He lost his action last week at Newbury but he may have just knocked himself as he was fine after the race so we are out again today. Obviously, there are question marks against him but he is down in grade, has the advantage of Pat (currently leading the Gentleman Amateur Championship) and has dropped 27lb in the ratings so hopefully we can get him back.
STEEVE – 6:05 Goodwood RUK
The son of Lethal Force won on his second start at Salisbury back in April, where he came out on top on heavy ground and hasn’t been disgraced on his next three starts in novice company. In fact, his latest fourth at Salisbury has been boosted by the first, second, third and fifth all winning subsequently so it makes his mark of 78 look fair and it will be interesting to see how he goes now handicapping after a two-month break in an open looking race.
CRYSTAL CASQUE – 7:25 Salisbury RUK
Probably our best chance of a winner today as she bids to follow up her success over course and distance last week. A really honest filly who had been placed on four of her five handicaps, thoroughly deserved that win and as it was an apprentice race she escapes a penalty and is four pound better off than in the future. With just four rivals, a light weight and Nicola Currie’s valuable three pound claim, she should go very close stepping up in grade.
DADDIES GIRL – 7:35 Goodwood RUK
She may not be the biggest but Daddies Girl is a tremendously tough and consistent filly that has followed up her three wins at two with a really solid campaign this year, taking her career earnings to £48,000. While she hasn’t won, she has performed with credit every time and her latest second at Newmarket was a typically decent effort. While she is probably too high in the handicap, she won’t be far away once again.