Josephine Gordon: I was delighted to get the ride on Fastnet Tempest
Baydar
There is nothing between most of these on official ratings, so you will need everything in your favour to win – and Baydar may not have. First and foremost, I would like to see some rain for him as two of his disappointments came on quick ground last season, first time out here and on his final start. But in between he proved himself a really talented and gutsy horse for me, a real star, and he won a really competitive handicap for me at Newbury last September. His run-style suggests this 1m4f trip should suit, but he is unproven over it.
Ejayteekay
It looks like she can be a bit keen and headstrong on occasions, and that may have explained her disappointing run at Lingfield last time. But she can race off a 2lb lower mark, and that is only 1lb higher than when previously winning at Chelmsford. If coming back to that winning form she has a chance, and she does have turf form on fast ground, but this could be tough for her. I rode Tegara to win at Lingfield last time and I would give her decent claims off a 4lb higher mark.
Fastnet Tempest
I was delighted to get the ride on Fastnet Tempest; you always want to be riding favourites in these big-field handicaps, don’t you? He doesn’t have many miles on the clock, has form here, and fast ground suits him well. And he comes here after an eye-catching third in the Spring Mile at Newbury last time, where he looked like winning after hitting the front 2 out. He just got reeled in, having hung in the closing stages, but I would say a 1lb rise for that third is fair. And you have to hope that a big-field, strongly-run race will show in a better light over this shorter trip.
Pettochside
I have struck up a good relationship with him on his last three starts, and I hope that can continue here though, looking at the race, it won’t be easy! He went up 2lb after winning in the soft for me at Salisbury on his final start but he looks equally at home on quicker ground and he shaped well on his reappearance at Windsor. Hopefully that will have brought him on, and he can run another good race. But you can run well here and finish fifth or sixth, and maybe worse.
Find 32Red’s latest odds here – we offer price boosts on every UK and Irish racing event, as well as enhanced multiples and jockey specials. If you’re still up for a flutter, be sure to check out our award-winning casino too!
