D’Niro and Adam Kirby look a formidable combination for division one of the Maiden Stakes over a mile of Kempton polytrack on an obligatory winter ‘Wednesday-nighter’ which one looks forward to immensely.
Unfortunately my passion doesn’t spill out to racegoers because attendances have been moderate for years at a track transformed into an all-weather circuit at the expense of their long-established turf-flat course.
It was undoubtedly a huge mistake, as far as regulars were concerned but, appparently, TV rights mean a profit is guaranteed even with ‘eighteen men and a dog!’ turning up.
Hopefully current, clement, weather conditions will ensure a decent crowd and support for once-raced D’Niro, sixth to Royal Artillery on ‘soft’ Doncaster nineteen days ago under veteran Steve Drowne.
Runner-up Wild Hacked failed to land the nap earlier this week but ‘advertised’ the form by finishing an unlucky third, beaten a neck, half a length; interference, as he made his challenge on the outside two furlongs out, proved vital but that can, and does, happen when saddled with a wide draw.
Ironically the winner was responsible but the ultimate placings meant no action could be taken by stewards; if he’d finished second!
This is a no ‘penalty-kick’ for D’Niro because the Harry Dunlop-trained Big Bad Bob colt is likely to face a stern challenge from The King’s Steed, an Equiano colt which also shaped well ‘first-up’ in the race won by Mootaharer at Newmarket.
As mentioned a few days ago the pre-Xmas period promises to be fiercely-competitive with ‘fashionable’ trainers determined to press on now the official 2015 turf season has concluded.
Incidentally D’Niro is drawn one, The King’s Steed nine!
Also on my time-handicap consistent, hitherto luckless, Prince Arran has obvious claims in division two but drawn TWELVE!
It’s a good enough reason to look elsewhere and find strongly-fancied Charmy, trained by Andrew Balding and mount of Oisin Murphy, aboard when this Yeats filly made a promising bow at Newmarket back in August.
One of three places is nigh on guaranteed, don’t worry about the 95-day(s) absence no thoroughbred ever leaves Kingsclere stables ‘needing’ a run.’
Well-regarded Charmy, with a vital 5lbs fillies’ allowance, is drawn widest!
As for 80-rated Prince Arran, it will also be interesting!
Last of four successive two-year-old races is the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs and indeed a ‘penalty-kick’ for five times loser Noble Peace, rated 85, placed four from five.
Cathy Gannon is booked by Henry Candy, she’ll do, for my nap!