Thoughts on Passing Star

Passing Star returns to action following a wind operation and a short break in hte 8.35 at Lingfield. Luke Morris is in the saddle for the seven furlong handicap. Passing Star suffered an entrapment of his epiglottis which definitely affected his last start and required a minor procedure to correct. He has done all his career winning to date on the all weather but has enough form on turf at this sort of level to suggest that the surface shouldn’t be an excuse in this grade of race. Clearly a talented horse as a youngster he lost his way a bit and has had a few niggles and issues over the years which mean he wont be scaling those great heights again but should still continue to give a good account in this type of grade. Trip shouldn’t be a problem as it tends to be more a case of the race panning out the right way for the horse who has won between 6 furlongs and one mile in the past.

The betting for the race centres around Dear Bruin who has won on three of his five starts at the course including his most recent run a five length romp in a weaker race. However, Flying Sakhee is also a course and distance winner over course and distance this season and that was a stronger looking race than Dear Bruin’s recent win and there are valid excuses for defeat in the interim, bad luck in running next time out and perhaps a mile being too far the next time. Flying Sakhee’s form is as good if not better than Dear Bruin’s and there shouldn’t be much between them. Arctic Flower is a stable mate of Flying Sakhee and has an excellent record over course and distance, mostly on an easier surface, however she has been really struggling for form of late and will have to turn things around.