Josephine Gordon: He will need to come on again to be competitive but the potential is there
Alba Power
Of course, Alba Power has loads to find on form with most of these, not least the Coventry winner Rajasinghe, but he is certainly going the right way. He shaped with a fair bit of promise in what turned out to be a hot novice at Salisbury first time out and, as so many of Hugo’s do, showed the benefit of his initial run when beating a fair sort in Jellmood at Yarmouth last time. He will need to come on again to be competitive in this higher grade but the potential is there.
Afandem
He is clearly not in the best form at the moment, and he was very disappointing when last for me at Newcastle last time. The only positive you can take from that is that he was dropped 3lb by the handicapper. If he comes back to his juvenile best, and he was a Group 3 winner in France remember as well as finishing a good fourth in the Flying Childers, then he is fairly weighted off 100. But he obviously does need to show more sparkle than of late.
Gold Eagle
She will probably need further in time but she looks to have shown promise when seventh first time up at Yarmouth and let’s hope that experience has done her the world of good. These maidens normally take a lot of winning here though, and a lot of the big stables have some expensive newcomers on show, including Hugo who has Pulitzer, a well-related filly of Mr Gredley’s, having her first start.
Ice Age
I’ve never ridden him before but he has been running well off this mark, and was only beaten in a bunch finish at Windsor last time. It appears that he likes to go forward and maybe the first-time cheekpieces can help him, too. Eve is having an excellent season and I hope Ice Age is another who runs well for her. And me!
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!
