Motorious looks a real ‘special’ for a ten-runner Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of ‘good to firm’ Leicester this afternoon, judged on a career-best’ effort at Beverley recently when this Stuart Williams-trained Muhaarar gelding failed by a neck to beat Ava A Joe in a titanic battle up the stiff climb of this unique Humberside venue.
Others were four lengths and upwards in arrears and the fourth home was that distance behind the minor placing; such data usually denotes strong form and after race- time computation I’m convinced 71-rated Motorious has a simple task, despite the presence of vexing Enysaab, a Dark Angel gelding which is a long time winning and proving a real friend of the bookmaking profession. Marcus Tregoning’s charge is on an offical mark of 76!
Ensyaab ‘left it behind’ again over course and distance nine days ago but will probably be favourite again, given the aforementioned ratings; ‘the sheep’ love to follow these unlucky ‘losers’ over cliffs!
I’m happy to take on BHA analysis with my time-handicap and reckon shrewd Newmarket-based Williams might just have missed a trick because Motorious would be a ‘shoo-in’ for a 3-y-o handicap but I doubt whether Stuart is indeed totally unaware.
Turf is becoming a four-letter word on the English flat-racing scene with clerks of courses continually issuing misleading information while all the time the majority continue with over-watering policies which are playing havoc with consistency and punters’ confidence.
I’ve highlighted it so often during the last few years, a reason why all-weather racing is now my firm speciality but there is none on this ‘Super-Saturday’ which to all intents and purposes is difficult, hence the reason why I’ve ‘dug deep’ to unearth opportunities like Motorious.
We go to great lengths on behalf of readers, it’s my job and nowt gives more satisfaction than getting it right and profiting every month. June was another success but I should have napped Chipotle at Royal Ascot!
His time-figure in the ‘Windsor Castle’ was mind-blowing and the future looks bright for Eve Johnson Hougton’s charge; Newmarket or Goodwood will be on his agenda.
Beverley also stages a seven-race card on ‘good to firm’ which should be ideal for twice-raced, Keith Dalsgleish-trained Big Boy Harley in a thirteen-runner Maiden Stakes over five furlongs; I’ll chance the wide draw against a clutch of inexperienced juveniles, four of which are un-raced.
Consistency usually brings reward (perhaps eventually with Ensyaab!) and Dalgleish’s ‘beaten-favourite’ Ninky Nonk will be tough to beat in a Novice Stakes over five furlongs in which he’s opposed by Mahagoni, a previous losing nap which hopefully will be ‘anchored’ with a penalty up the hill.
Selections, Leicester, 1.35 Motorious (e.w); Beverley, 2.52 Big Boy Harley (e.w); Carlisle, 6.50 Ninky Nonk (e.w).
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