Sunday 7th August

 

It's been quite a while since a big field 6 furlong race here, especially on Good or Firmer Going, so to assess any Draw bias is very difficult. I think we have to take every horse on its merits, some are aimed higher than usual for a nice pay-day with the very generous prize money whilst others are in the right grade on decent marks.

 

One who jumped out of the page a little at me was ASADJUMERIAH; whether Stall 1 will be a hindrance or a help we'll have to wait and see but it's got some eye catching form with a win in the grade off a mark of 84 at Thirsk earlier this season. It then ran well enough in Class 2 and Class 3 company off higher marks before form levelled off the last twice. They have gelded the horse and if that just focuses the mind more on racing and with a tongue tie too he does look well handicapped dropped back down into a Class 4 off a mark of 82. Whatever happens today he's one to keep an eye on.

 

The other one is the Johnston horse TOUSSAROK who steps down from 7 furlongs and does have decent form at this trip. It's a long old straight here and takes some getting but can suit prominent runners and we all know that's the strength of this Yard. The niggle is the ground as it would want Good or firmer but with proven stamina further I'm happy to take a chance in a competitive 17 runner field and enhanced places.

 

 

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A field of solid long distance handicappers and a few could pop up at nice prices if on a going day.

 

The one that really struck me though was Richard Fahey's progressive 3 year old THE PREDICTOR, its an improving type the further its gone, initially when upped to 14 furlongs when it had all kinds of genuine bad luck in running and then last time running the very upwardly mobile Mostly Cloudy to a head-bod finish and that horse has gone out again since and franked the form off 6lbs more.

 

If we take that form and past two runs literally despite an extra few pounds THE PREDICTOR does look a really nice developing type and looks decent each way price at around 8/1.