YARMOUTH

3:30 LINDLEY CATERING - OFFICIAL RACECOURSE CATERERS - HANDICAP (CLASS 2) (4yo+,0-100) 6f

ROYAL ROCK 9-4 ~ Progressive 3yo last season and he really travels strongly in his races. He probably should have racked up a four timer last season but when looking like the sure winner he was caught on the line at Newcastle. The step down to todays trip it seems to be his ideal distance and as he is a versatile performer regarding ground conditions. He disappointed on his last start of the season at Newmarket but it isn’t clear whether that was a result of the handicapper rising him 11lbs in the ratings or he had simply had enough racing for the year. He is worth another chance and if fit off the back of his 8 month break then he’ll go very close.

FYODOR 9-3 ~ Better strike rate on the all weather but even there he hasn’t won for two years. 5f seems his best trip but 6f shouldn’t be a concern as a recent run at Wolverhampton has shown. However he always seems to get going too late and he has shown nothing in two runs on the turf this season. Slowly dropping down the handicap but it doesn’t appear to be doing him too much good at the minute and little to get excited about his chances.

AJIGOLO 9-2 ~ Mick Channons stable has been struggling recently and all his runners should be given a watching brief at the moment. Ajigolo had been running reasonably well on the all weather this winner but switched to turf managed to finish last of 5 runners at Brighton. It could have been that the horse didn’t handle the track and if running up to the form he showed in a Newmarket Listed race this time last year then he would have a serious chance. However he was in much better form this time last year and given that the stables runner haven’t been looking great at the minute he is a very risky betting proposition.

CAPE 9-1 ~ Racked up a hat trick of wins as a 3yo for James Fanshawe and was well backed for the Wokingham last season. However she couldn’t deliver of the promise she had shown two years ago a 3yo and she proved a frustrating filly. As a result she was offloaded to Paul Howling for whom she made a couple of encouraging runs at the back end of last season. Making her seasonal reappearance at Doncaster she proved all her old ability still remains when winning a competitive handicap sprint. Given that she didn’t have the clearest of runs it was an impressive performance and she is only likely to build on that run so the 3lbs penalty doesn’t look harsh at all. However the horse has yet to race on firm ground and given her liking for cut in the ground it remains to be seen whether she will be equally effective in todays conditions.

ORPENINDEED 9-0 ~ Marco Botti is a promising young trainer and his Italian import has shown enough in a few runs on the all weather to suggest it won’t be long before he’s winning. He has winning form over 6f on fast ground so todays race conditions shouldn’t be a concern. However more needed in todays race if he is going to win on his current mark and a place maybe the best connections can hope for.

CLASSIC ENCOUNTER 9-0 ~ Yet to race beyond 5f in 19 career starts but he hasn’t been running as if the extra furlong should suit. His only win outside of maiden company on the turf came at Goodwood on a track that suits speed with its downhill run. He should be fit from an encouraging run on the all weather but he has a far from convincing profile.

INGLEBY ARCH 8-13 ~ Normally there or thereabouts in sprint handicaps on the turf but its some two years since he has managed to get his head in front on turf. He managed to take advantage of his lower handicap mark on the all weather this winter but back on turf he looks to be playing for places once again. However he ran a fine race at Pontefract last time out when things didn’t fall his way so likely to be the one to take advantage if a couple don’t perform.

BLUE TOMATO 8-9 ~ A gelding to follow when in good nick and making his debut for Dandy Nicholls at Musselburgh this season he won a competitive sprint handicap over a trip considered short of his best. It was indeed a very decent performance so on the face of it his run at Doncaster next time out could be considered very disappointing but the ground had gone against him so that effort can be excused. Back on a fast surface he is of particular interest given that his new trainer may have him at the peak of his powers.

CONCLUSION

Hopefully there should be enough pace in the race given that Classic Encounter, Ingleby Arch and Orpenindeed like to race prominently. They could tee the race up for one of the hold up horses. Of those any rain would suit both Royal Rock and Cape. With preference for the latter given she has proven fitness and form having produced an impressive performance when winning at Doncaster. The former has fitness to prove, has to bounce back for a poor run at the back end of last season, might prefer more cut in the ground and has to prove he is the same horse on this handicap mark. However taking preference over that pair is Dandy Nicholls’ Blue Tomato.  The yard are in decent nick at the moment and back on faster ground he should build on his encouraging win at Musselburgh.

1pt WIN – BLUE TOMATO @ 7/2

RESULT

BLUE TOMATO 4th = -1pt