Cat ready to pounce
Whozthecat has dropped to a career low mark and is of major interest at 4/1 in the 1.00 at Southwell.
Declan Carroll’s gelding was rated as high as 90 when a solid 1 length third over course and distance last year to Confessional and races off just 79 today.
That gives him an outstanding chance from a handicapping perspective of getting back into the winners’ enclosure and he shaped as if ready to do just that when an eye-catching fifth at Wolverhampton last time out.
Forced to race wide, he helped force an overgenerous pace and after taking up the running two from home weakened and hing inside the last to be beaten 5 1/2 lengths by Elna Bright.
That race was over 6f, and the drop back down to the minimum this afternoon is sure to see him in far better light if showing the same dash from stall 1.
This represents by far the best opportunity he has had for some time, and if he runs anywhere near to the level that he showed when chasing home Zero Money at Newmarket off a mark of 87 back in July he will take the world of beating.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 4pts win Whozthecat (4/1 Betfred, Ladbrokes, Hills – BOG)
Nadeen looks nice at 16s
Nadeen drops into claiming company for the first time in the 2.30 at Southwell and looks worth chancing at 16/1 to take advantage.
Michael Smith’s gelding put in an improved effort when landing 5f Musselburgh handicap on reappearance in April off a mark of 78, and although he has been out of form since his handicap mark has plummeted as a result.
He is now down to a rating of just 67, and given that he has run two solid races at this venue before there is every reason to believe he could bounce back and take advantage.
The four-year-old has finished runner-up on each occasion – to Victorian Bounty off a mark of 73 and Bonnie Prince Blue off 75 in 6f contests
He was quickly outpaced when tried over 5f at this venue last time out and never in the hunt, but the return to six should see him in far better light and this contest represents a drop in class.
Providing he gets away on terms I can see him running a massive race, and at 16/1 he looks overpriced for a potentially well treated horse with proven form on the fibresand surface.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Nadeen (16/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
14/1 Sopran Nad has plenty in his favour
Sopran Nad has caught the eye on a number of occasions lately and looks overpriced at 14/1 now returned to the fibresand surface in the finale at Southwell (3.30).
Frank Sheridan’s gelding easily landed a gamble at Chepstow back in August and followed up in good style over today’s course and distance when readily beating Space Craft by just under two lengths from a mark of 51.
Although he has failed to trouble the judge since then off higher marks he looked as if he could be ready to go in again soon last time out when racing up with the pace over 7f at Wolverhampton before weakening close hope to be beaten just 2 1/2 lengths into fifth by Dashing Eddie.
That run came off a mark of 55, and with the handicapper dropping him another pound he is just 3lb higher than when bolting up here in August.
To me it looks as if his shrewd handler is lining him up to land another gamble, and it’s interesting that now that he has become nicely treated he is retuning to a surface which he likes and having the tongue tie refitted.
Everything seems in place for a big run, and at 14/1 he makes plenty of each-way appeal.
Recommended bet: 2pts each-way Sopran Nad (14/1 generally available – use BOG firms)
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