Sense Of Humour will abound if James Doyle steers her into the Wolverhampton winners’ enclosure after the ten-runner first division of a Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over a mile of tapeta tonight, several vital boxes are ticked; top jockey, good draw and my time-handicap indicates Simon Crisford’s charge is clear ‘best-in!’
From a personal perspective such an occurrence would give me immense satisfaction because I’m involved with Glentaneous, a Gleneagles colt which is owned by a close ‘business associate’ in a powerful syndicate and finished a neck behind all-the-way winning odds-on favourite Anmaat on Lingfield polytrack last month; it was one and a half lengths back to unfancied 14/1 shot, Sense Of Humour, making a very promising debut and several ‘super-breds’ were behind.
After analysis and scrutiny it became obvious Sense Of Humour has a serious rival, twice-raced Algheed, by the same sire, Dark Angel; the latter occupied second place, a neck behind Samoot over course and distance seven weeks ago.
They are undoubtedly similarly-profiled but Algheed will be at a distinct disadvantage drawn nine from a notorious starting area which is on a bend; very few overcome it. Doyle will be aware, 100%!
Stable companion Riknnah, also mount of James is another outstanding betting proposition in division two; this once-raced Shamardal filly was fourth, beaten about a length by Delta Bay down the Newmarket Rowley Mile last month and is ‘pencilled in’ for an engagement at Royal Ascot!
Pointless even contemplating opposing Riknnah, the most exciting runner on an intriguing punter-friendly eight-race programme. Hopefully Doyle will be positive on both my strong fancies.
There is also a seven-race AWR fixture on Chelmsford polytrack but it’s hellishly difficult with six handicaps and a fiercely-competitive ‘Novice’ which is why I’m switching to the jumpers at ‘good’ ground Market Rasen where rejuvenated, hitherto consistent 114-rated Master Templar should finally prevail in the Maiden Hurdle over two and half miles against extremely shallow opposition.
Don’t write off Enemy At The Gate!
Selections, Market Rasen, 2.20 Master Templar (e.w); Wolverhampton, 2.30 Sense Of Humour; 3.05 Riknnah.
Jeffrey Ross, horse-racing correspondent for WMN since 1983 when winning the most prestigious racing journalist award, Sporting Life Naps Table, before winning it a record number of six times collectively in the Racing Post, the current ‘trade’ paper, including 2019