Soft ground forecast for today's card at Leicester and in
the 12f handicap I am looking forward to seeing the filly Inchicore
(1.45) who is having just her third start. This will be the softest ground she
has encountered so far and, as a daughter of Galileo, she is not certain to
appreciate underfoot conditions, but her staying on fourth behind Tyson Fury at
Doncaster last time is certainly working out well.
The winner failed to get home in the St Leger over an
additional three furlongs but returned to winning ways at Ascot last week and
the second and third have also subsequently franked the form. The selection has
worn a hood for her two career starts to date but trainer Alan King discards the
headgear this afternoon. Champion jockey Oisin Murphy takes over in the saddle.
In the feature race of the afternoon over the same 12f trip last
year's second and third Spanish Archer and Getchagetchagetcha reoppose and I
feel the latter might gain his revenge today on the revised terms although I am
prepared to give the three-year-old Brentford Hope (2.20) another chance having
disappointed at Kempton last time.
The selection impressed when scoring at Newbury last October
but has disappointed in two starts this term. Those efforts have led to the
cruellest cut of all and the Richard Hughes gelding will encounter soft ground
today for the first time since his winning debut at the Berkshire track. Jamie
Spencer has been in the saddle for all three career starts and he keeps the
ride today.
Stallone (3.50) won twice on heavy ground last October –
including here at Leicester – and he has dropped to a similar mark this year.
Yes, those successes were gained over 7f for a different yard, but the booking
of champion jockey Oisin Murphy suggests a bold bid is expected this afternoon
for Henry Spiller despite the fact that the stable have only had a couple of
winners this term.
Over to Lingfield and Ralph Beckett's filly Dark Motive is
owned by the Prince Of Wales and Duchess Of Cornwall and shaped with
considerable promise when third at Newbury on debut over a mile when she shaped
as if she will get further next term. I am not convinced this track will suit
although I expect her to be doing all her best work late on.
Ivynator shaped with considerable promise on debut at
Beverley and must go close but Taravara (2.40) ran a much better race
than his finishing position would suggest when down the field at Doncaster over
7f on debut and I hope to see him leave that run in south Yorkshire well behind
in time.
John Gosden's juvenile cost £300,000 as a yearling and is
half-brother to several winners. The trainer only has two runners this
afternoon and it may be significant that Rab Havlin travels to Leicester to
take the mount on well-bred newcomer Alexj at Leicester.
Publicist (3.40) overcame the worst of the draw to
win going away at Kempton last time and he has a good draw, potentially, in
stall one this afternoon. The filly appreciated the step up to 7f last time and
she is only 2lbs higher than when a staying on third here over 6f back in
August when she ruined her chance with a slow start. If she is tardy away from
the boxes again today her draw will soon become a concern but granted a decent
break, she can follow up her latest success in an extremely competitive
nursery.
Born Leader (5.40) remains a maiden after 10 career
starts but she ran an excellent race at Nottingham nine days ago over 1m 6f and
she drops back in trip this afternoon. Saffie Osborne takes over in the saddle
this afternoon and she is shed her maiden tag from an excellent draw in stall
three. I hope her new partner makes plenty of use of Hughie Morrison's
four-year-old.
