OLYMPIAN BOY 5.35 STRATFORD
Olympian Boy has been found a suitable opportunity for his first run of the season. He ended last season with probably his best when 4thof 6th but just beaten 3.25ls in a 0-125 at Sandown. Paul Moloney gave him far too much to do that day and he just couldn’t reel the leaders in. The handicapper has been kind and dropped him 2lbs for that which means he squeezes into this 0-115. The winner of that race, Greywell Boy, went on to finish second to Fairy Rath in a 0-140 off 4lbs higher. Fairy Rath won again in a 0-145. In his previous race Olympian Boy won a 0-130 off 108. He carries a big weight here, 11-12; he has won a 0-110 with the same weight. He has won on the ground and this looks to be the perfect distance as he’s won over 18f before. He has won after a break of 120 days before so he shouldn’t need the run. Jason Maguire replaces Paul Moloney which is interesting as Moloney has a ride in the race. However, Maguire is a positive booking as his record for Sophie Leech since the start of last year reads; 2212P13P17.
Julie Prince made all the other day to win a 0-100 to register his first win in a first time tongue tie. He beat Novikov, trained by Sophie Leech, 5ls and it probably would have been closer but for Novikov’s horrendous mistake at the last. Julie Prince was previously third beaten 15ls when favourite for a 0-105. Lightly raced over the larger obstacles he has scope and McCoy is booked. The horse has never placed in seven races going left handed. He is 8lbs higher and up in grade.
Giant O Murchu won a 0-115 over course and distance last time off 106 and is 9lbs higher today. That was his first win for over a year which was over this course and distance off 107. He is 0-7 off marks above 107 never placing. The cheekpieces may well have brought some improvement and Aidan Coleman keeps the ride. He has to improve and this is tougher. He is 0-5, never placed, on good to soft or slower.
Catch Tammy won a 4 runner maiden chase at Towcester in May and has shown nothing in two handicaps since off a mark of 112. His overall record reads 0-7 in this grade. His sole win came after almost a year off. He has never placed in four races when returning to the track inside a month.
Rime Avec Gentil was pulled up in a Beginners Chase in 2011 and won a point to point in May of last year. He won two handicap hurdles off 100 and 107 in May of this year and has run well off marks around 110. That would suggest he should be thereabouts. Bernard Llewellyn has had 11 winners from 132 runners in handicap chases, the last winner was in April of 2012 and 25 have lost since. He is 0-5, none placed, with horses making their handicap chase debut for him. Paul Moloney has only ridden twice for the yard, unplaced both times.
Cruise In Style was beaten 8ls in a 0-100 off 98 two runs back. She is 0-11 going left handed though her best form is at Worcester. She has placed in three of her five chases but she was last of 8 in a 0-110 last time. In her career she is 0-5 in races where the highest rated horse is above 110.
Bobbits Way has pulled up in 9 of his 13 starts including his last four. His best form is a 2l 2nd in a selling hurdle in January and in four chases he has pulled up three times and was beaten 9ls in the other when 4th of 7 in a 0-100. He was actually second favourite for that race. He finished lame last time out and is 2lbs out of the handicap.
Conclusion: Julie Prince is likely to attempt to make all here but he will have company with Bobbits Way, Rime Avec Gentil, Cruise In Style and Giant O Murchu all liking to race prominently. This should set the race up for the hold up horses, Catch Tammy and Olympian Boy. There are enough negatives to oppose Catch Tammy and Olympian Boy should be able to pick this lot off as this is the easiest assignment he has had for a while.
