Thoughts on tomorrows runners
Two runners tomorrow (22nd October) at Kempton Park. Dream Approval runs in the 8.25. Robert Winston rides in the seven furlong nursery. Dream Approval has been given a chance to freshen up since her slightly disappointing run at Hamilton last time out. This is a higher grade than what she has been competitive in all summer and we are hoping that the step up up in trip can bring about the necessary improvement. We’ve always felt to go to the next stage she would need to stay further and although she has run over seven a couple of times already she had excuses on both times for not showing her best form, she dropped back to six as the races looked good opportunities.
The race looks a very open affair and cases can be made for several of the runners. Red Icon looked an promising early season juvenile doesn’t seem to have progressed as the season has gone on. This represents a drop in class for and he looks to be finding his level and he probably is the benchmark horse. Handicap debutant Hills and Dales has one good piece of maiden form sandwiched in between two more pretty dismal efforts and if showing his best ought to be competitive. Mountain Resuce whilst impressive looking on debut didn’t win the strongest of maidens and was the stable second string and will have to step up again to be competitive although the longer trip should suit.
Shamiana has had a good summer break and returns to action in the 9.25. Steve Drowne rides in the seven furlong classified stakes. Shamiana is best described as frustrating, a filly with a nice pedigree, she needs a win against her name to retire to the breeding shed but has been making hard work of it. Often there or there abouts things will fall her way one day. Her biggest issue is that she is a bit tripless. As its her first run for a while she drops back to seven and will probably go over slightly further next time. Its something a lot of Australian and American trainers use as a ploy to bring their horses to peak fitness and blow away the cobwebs and it might just suit her to be travelling well towards the end still.
The race is wide open and certainly looks winnable with question marks about a lot of the runners. At this level it is often about which horse is feeling the best on the day. The lightly raced horses are the most likely to improve and on that basis handicap debutants Forceful Beacon and Lady Cooper (who steps up in trip) warrant attention. Welsh Dancer returns to action for a new yard off a very long lay off so could show more than when last seen. Copper Cavalier is a last time out winner but that was a poor maiden and he has been missing for nearly nine months. Cadmium is the horse that has been running well in low grade handicaps and sets the standard for the rest on that basis.
Shamiana getting a well earned pat on the way home
