Credence Star goes on a retrieving mission (mine!) in the Novice Stakes over seven furlongs of Chelmsford polytrack today on the back of a woeful effort on ‘good to firm Doncaster thirteen days ago; what went wrong with Simon Crisford’s charge?
There is never any guarantee with thoroughbreds, a multitude of factors can cause problems; hopefully there has been a definitive physical diagnosis which cures the latest hiccup for this American Pharoah colt, odds-on failure when beaten over six furlongs but third previously, also on Town Moor, where he achieved a useful time-handicap mark under James Doyle. That prompted me to make him a firm selection under PJ McDonald.
Callum Shepherd is entrusted with the nap which definitely has twice-raced, long-time absentee Jebel Durkan and Mark Johnston’s Red Mirage to beat; opposing ‘Johnno’s’ runners isn’t paying off but the Middleham ‘rep’ is penalised 7lbs which could weigh heavily against his prospects.
Southwell second Jebel Durkan rankles, trained by handicap plotter Sir Mark Prescott, who knows only too well this ‘third run’ is necessary for an official rating!
None of the rest is feared and I’m banking on the ‘Star’ shining brightly.
Second day of Chester is particularly disappointing punting-wise and so it makes sense to focus on jumping cards at Huntingdon and Worcester where Glimpse Of Gala, placed several times in ‘bumpers’, is one of eleven’ decs’ for a Mares’ Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles.
Apart from Forthergreatergood there is no serious rival to Charlie Longsdon’s five-year-old which makes for a solid each-way bet over mini-fences.
Worth chancing and so is Nicky Henderson-trained Hurling Magic in a five-runner Maiden Hurdle over two and a half miles of the Cambridgeshire course, despite an inexplicable last-time lapse six weeks ago.
Nicky’s yard is now in much better form and so is yours truly given our winner-a-day momentum is keeping the wolf from the door and an encouraging medical report from an eminent cardiologist who is convinced there’s still plenty of life in the old dog!
Selections, Huntingdon, 12.30 Hurling Magic; Worcester, 3.05 Glimpse Of Gala (e.w); Chelmsford, 4.50 Credence Star (nap-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