Thoughts on today’s runners

Three runners across the country today, Contessa Verde at Chepstow, Lil Guff at Haydock and finally Seneca Chief at Pontefract.

Contessa Verde

Contessa Verde is having her second start today at 4.50pm in Division II of the 10 furlong maiden. The three year old has been brought along gradually. A light framed filly she will continue to develop with time. She started out over seven furlongs at Newbury to teach her to settle and will be more suited by this extra distance. A similar ploy worked well with L’enclume at the beginning of the season. She ran twice over a mile before stepping up to a mile and half to win her novice well.

Contessa Verde would have to take a massive step forward to be competitive here and her wins are in the future one would imagine. Balhambar and Duelist set a decent standard for Sea On Time, a well bred debutant to aim at. Matched could well take a big step forward from his debut.

Contessa Verde runs for owners and breeders Gary & Lesley Middlebrook and will be led up by Ilse Belien and overseen by travelling manager Shaun Johnson who rides her at home. Jan Kasecky cares for her at home.

Lil Guff

Lil Guff notch up the third win of career on Saturday. James Doyle who was on board for that victory, will partner her as they bid to repeat the course and distance victory. The race is the 7.55pm at Haydock, a six furlong handicap for fillies.

This is a competitive sprint handicap. Dreams of Thunder won nicely on her first start for a new trainer. She had posted some nice efforts as a two year old. Noya is has only had three starts and is already a winner over seven furlongs and open to further progression. Iris Dancer is won last time and is a consistent older filly at this kind of level. Cashew kept good company for most of her two year old career. That level of form would make her a danger but she didn’t match that on her seasonal reappearance.

Lil Guff runs in owner and breeder Wayne Clifford’s colours and will be led up by Epona Miller who rides and cares for her daily at home.

Seneca Chief

Seneca Chief is our final runner of the day on the late shift with a post time of 9.00pm (do races really need to be run this late?) at Pontefract. Jason Hart will be in the plate today for the five furlong handicap. Seneca was entitled to come on from his run in an Ascot race that had a bit of depth to it first time out. He was a bit disappointing at Nottinghmam last but probably found the track too sharp. His very best form is at stiffer tracks, particularly Sandown. He did run very well in a Class 3 handicap here at Pontefract at the back end of last season, and a repeat of that would give him a cracking chance here.

A tight handicap amongst experienced sprinters, Ventura Express has strong claims at this level. Dream Composer’s very best efforts are probably over six furlongs but he put up a decent effort over course and distance in April in a stronger race. Ginger Jam posted a poor effort last time but at his best would be a danger here too.

Seneca Chief runs for Gary & Lesley Middlebrook and will be led up by Sammy Barnett. Jan Kasecky cares for him daily at home.