Thoughts on our first turf runner of the year
Monopoli gets our season going properly tomorrow evening (Tuesday May 14th) at Chepstow in the 8.10. Regular partner Richard Thomas takes the ride in the 0-75 fillies handicap over a mile and a half. Monopoli hasn’t quite fired for us yet and has excuses on each start, that said a horse can only be given so many excuses. Her best form for previous connections was on the turf so lets hope that is of assistance. She has been going nicely at home and the step up to a mile and a half shouldn’t be a problem, she has stayed on a few times over the mile and a quarter and is out of a mile and half winning dam. She has good form with cut in the ground although she wouldn’t run if the ground went as soft as heavy which is a possibility at Chepstow with rain forecast for tomorrow.
The race looks quite competitive for the grade. Headline News and Carinya both look like progressive fillies who are lightly raced, they do both have long absences to overcome however. Astra Hall has been running very close in similar races and although she is making her seasonal debut her yards runners are in flying form. Of those with a recent run Play Street is probably the horse with the best form, she tackles a mile and half for the first time.