York - 3.00 (12 May 2005)
Listed Bank Of Scotland Corporate Banking Hambleton Handicap Stakes (1) 7f
Course Description
A left handed, flat, galloping course, this track takes some getting. Its negotiation involves a fairly gruelling test of stamina, especially if there is some juice in the ground. It is for resolute, courageous types who relish a struggle so this course is Ideal for the big, powerful galloper
Draw Bias at 7f
None observed in yesterdays race
Analysis
Selection: Imperial Stride (1pt each-way)
This race has been shortened to 7 furlongs, as parts of the Knavesmire are not fit to race so caution is advised. In yesterdays race, the runners raced away from the far rail to take a position down the centre of the course. In observation, ability to race up with the pace (or off the pace) along with stamina (and plenty of it given the soft going) seems to be the order of the day.
As there is no perceived drive bias and only 12 runners in was relatively easy to review the merits of all the runners. The short listed horses are:
Polar Bear: 3rd last time out and excels in soft going. Lightly raced with good performance in listed events he is ridden by the master and should go well today. The only doubt is that his trainer has a poor record at York and the stables current form is not so encouraging
Quito: Better suited to faster ground and big fields top rated on speed and handicap ratings. Ideally suited by hold-up tactics in a fastly run race pace analysis suggests that he may not get these conditions today.
Imperial Stride: Lightly raced and returning after 194 absence and has all the hallmarks of a Stoute horse that wins first time out. Kept in trainer after poor performances as a 3yo on breading, should relish the conditions and go well today.
posted by Slipperytoad @ 5/11/2005 09:32:00 pm
1 comments
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1 Comments:
Another open goal missed.
In review, what seems to be occurring in my in that I am placing far too much emphasis on any form book comments when I should be taking a balanced view.
The selection of Imperial Stride was more in hope than reality. The first example where emphasis was placed on form book comments than ratings.
The second example was that Quito was not inconvenienced by the ground. A decisive move by Mr Culhane to ride Quito up with the pace and a good decision based on the soft ground conditions. I am warning this jockey and it’s nice to see a rider thinking on his mount (not that I know a thing about riding)
Well at least Quito was in my shortlist
Racing Post Comments
A tough handicap and appropriately won by a tough horse in QUITO, who has been a revelation again this season since returned to the turf. A win in the Abernant had been followed by second placing in a tactical affair at Haydock five days earlier but the cut and thrust of a hard-edged handicap is right up his street and he bounced back to winning form with another cracking display. Held up early on, by his standards he was plenty close enough entering the final two furlongs and swooped entering the final furlong to score off a career-high mark. He remains a great credit to the skills of his handler David Chapman and he can win more races this term.
Blue Spinnaker was one of those that could have been expected to find the trip on the short side and he ran a blinder in defeat. His jockey was attempting to make progress when short of room two furlongs out and that remained the case until well inside the final furlong. He picked really well in the finish and something like the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot at York would seem a good option for this classy gelding.
Kings Point was soon in the firing line and hung right in the closing stages which caused interference to the the runner-up and Mine. He had run well for new connections when unplaced at Newmarket a month ago and clearly retains his ability.
He should soon find a race and there was also plenty to like about Welcome Stranger's effort. Holding a prominent position until outpaced over a furlong out, he stayed on strongly in the closing stages. He should soon find reward in slightly lesser grade than this.
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