Qamarain should be ‘nailed on’ for division one of the Maiden Stakes over a mile of Kempton tonight, drawn ideally, ‘best-in’ on the time-handicap, mount of Paul Hanagan!
After watching his effort on another two-year-old owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, at Wolverhampton last weekend, Daqeeq, I’ll be apprehensive!
Instead of making the running aboard a vastly-superior, heavily-backed favourite, on the superb Tapeta surface, Hanagan chose to ‘tuck in’ on Daqeeq; as a consequence he was trapped along the running rails, behind moderates, and when it came to ‘challenging time’ in the straight they had been shuttled back into about sixth place. No chance.
Although Daqeeq finished strongly he was beaten a neck by Loading; it made for dreadful viewing but Paul, strategy-wise, is indeed moderate and needs to be given explicit, definitive orders. Obviously there was no one to issue any at Dunstall Park.
This is a similar situation but readers know not to bet less than 2/1 or oppose, for the sake of it!
Hopefully trainer Brian Meehan will be assertive!
Division two looks well within capabilities of twice-raced Secret Sense, two lengths second behind Rostova at Salisbury last month on an easy surface.
‘Poly’ should be ideal for this Shamardal filly from the in-form yard of Ralph Beckett and with three places available each-way is surely a ‘bet to nothing!’
Earlier Leicester debut winner, Illegally Blonde, is on a winning mark for the opening six-runner nursery handicap over five furlongs of ‘soft’ ground Nottingham; Jamie Osborne has booked Joe Fanning and obviously means business; make it yours!