Hit the front two out that day before dropping back again and reappears over a mile at York today (5.05). This is a much lesser race and the horse is maybe under-exposed at this mile trip. On breeding he should get it comfortably. I should stress that I haven't studied the race and this is just following the logic that if I was prepared to back it in a race like the Victoria Cup then I should be prepared to back it off a lower (1lb) mark in a less difficult race. I've taken 28/1 to 6 places.
Claims look sound, don't they. The post-debut Newcastle 7f performance suggests the mile shouldn't be a problem. I'm a little worried about the big field factor, having dropped out both times so far in similar sized fields. 2 races is limited evidence, though, and they were both
highly competitive. The prospects of keeping going in this look far stronger.
But I will take you on, Desert..............
InternationalDream 33 B3 (and strong chances of getting double that on the exchange)
This one can often run prominently same as GC, and likewise first go at a mile. But I like the way he came from the back in the July 7f race at Doncaster last year. Looked to be closing at the finish, no obvious signs of stopping, and another furlong suggests he would have been closer to the winner. Chances are the same happens here, with GC and one or two others from low draws prominent, and the higher draws coming from behind. Hanagan may well ride to get the mile (given the high draw
might mean using too much to get prominent early), although he kept Gabrial the Wire fairly prominent in a similar York mile handicap last June (did me a favour, so maybe I'm biased).
I have a healthy regard for the chances of
Mostawaa, with form that ties in with the likes of Brunch. If the high draws are not inconvenienced, there are very strong arguments based on last seasons early races that De Sousa can get Mostawaa home in front. Seems a regular prominent runner though, and no obvious evidence he can come from behind if he needs to.