Rassasee and Pursuitofthestars are strongly-fancied to justify favouritism on all-weather tracks, Wolverhampton and Lingfield, today and professional punters are sure to target them as a lucrative double during a difficult session.
Although we’ve witnessed one or two setbacks recently serious-backers are surely well in front, given incredible results at The Cheltenham Festival, which concluded a fortnight ago.
Indeed bookmakers must be frustrated; very few of the big-hitters will haver played since, preferring to be patient and keep their powder dry in readiness for another major assault on the ‘ol enemy’ over three days at the Aintree Grand National meeting next week.
There are several who simply can’t be bothered betting at lesser meetings because nowadays they expect to be accommodated at grade one fixtures, hence the timely absences; honestly it’s difficult to ‘get on’ four-figure bets during ordinary weekdays, excuses given by bookmakers (sorry accountants!) are pathetic.
Therefore any frustration felt by layers is to a large degree of their own making.
John Gosden-trained Pursuitofthestars will be short for a Maiden Stakes on polytrack; rated 84 and obviously a progressive sort this thrice-raced Sea The Stars filly could be an pencilled in’ for the Epsom Oaks if successful, and sufficiently impressive. Once-raced rivals, Capricious Cantor and Celestra, from respected yards, are likely to improve but it will be a major surprise if either is able to lower the colours of Pursuitofthestars.
Rasasee has ‘done’ well since an encouraging debut over course and distance 139 days ago, apparently fitness wont be at issue for the Maiden Stakes over an extended nine furlongs of Tapeta. Looks another for Andrea Atzeni who, amazingly, has been ‘jocked off’ Racing Post winner, Marcel, for the 2000 Guineas later this month; is there a better jockey on this planet?
Destroyer should be just that in the five-runner Maiden Stakes over six furlongs, trained by William Muir and mount of his son-in-law, Martin Dwyer. Not my favourite combination but Destroyer will never get a better chance, despite confidence behind Semana Santa.
SELECTIONS
1.30 Pursuitofthestars
2.15 Destroyer
3.45 Rasasee