Scholar to teach rivals a lesson
February 4th, 2012 by Steve HughesFour selections on the sand today where it might pay to follow some horses in form.
WAABEL 2.00 Lingfield (7/2 general)
Waabel enjoyed a profitable winter campaign over course and distance last winter, winning twice, and looks on the sort of mark to go in again on his favourite track this afternoon.
Jim Best did well with the gelding, his last win coming off a rating of 75. Transferred to Richard Guest in the summer, Waabel made a slow start to his winter campaign, but has plummeted in the weights as a result and can now race from a mark of 61.
He has competed in every week of this sprint series over the past month, with finishing positions of 3463 suggesting his time is close, Nathan Alison has been booked today, which means he can carry 5lbs less with his claim, so with an inside draw, Waabel has plenty going for him.
SHIFTING STAR 3.00 Lingfield (11/1)
This ex Walter Swinburn trained gelding has been competing in a high level of handicaps for several seasons now, but has enjoyed a new lease of life since joining John Bridger in the autumn.
Generally campaigned at 6f for his previous yard, Shifting Star has enjoyed a step up in distance to 7f and 1m, failing by a short-head over 1m at Kempton last month, before going one better at Lingfield last time out.
Although he has been upped 4lbs in the ratings to 88, Shifting Star has won off as high as 92 in the past, so whilst he is in peak form, he still has the ability to defy his new mark.
ART SCHOLAR 3.35 Lingfield (7/2 general)
Michael Appleby is enjoying the form of his life at the moment and his Art Scholar can demonstrate his training talents in this high class handicap.
A promising juvenile with Gary Moore, he lost his way badly last season and dropped to a mark as low as 49 in June when landing a modest handicap at Yarmouth for his new trainer. Clearly the horse had not permanently lost his ability as Art Scholar has progressed back to his best form with six wins in total, culminating in a comprehensive 3l win at Kempton last time.
A horse who enjoys coming off a strong pace, he should get that with the front-running 2m stayer Exemplary in the line up surely needing to set a decent tempo to enhance his own chances.
McCOOL BANANAS 5.15 Wolverhampton (2/1 general)
Still a maiden after 12 starts, McCool Bananas won’t get a better opportunity than this to get off the mark. In danger of becoming a nearly horse after four second places, all at this track, his turn does look near after two recent near misses.
He can race off the same mark as when runner-up on Monday where he was arguably defeated by his wide draw that left him with too much ground to make up late on. He was also defeated in a photo over 9 1/2f last month.
A kinder draw today gives him a fine chance and as a hold up horse, he should get the strong pace he needs to bring his strong finishing burst into play.
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Categories: Horse racing
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