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Monday 18 April 2011

Hoof It to lead the way ?



Hoof it was entered up at Doncaster on 3rd April for a Class 2 6f Handicap but he was Non Runner and his trainer stated pre race that he thought that he was too high in the handicap, that he's a 5f horse and that he may just need the run. Considering he's a 5f horse its strange that the stable have re entered him for another 6f race and at Pontefract of all places ! Is the wool being pulled over our eyes ? - that day Pricewise made him his selection and hailed him as a potential Group class sprinter. Last season Hoof It won 4 times and went up 31lb in the handicap and the form of his last race when beating Noble Storm by a neck off 94 is particularly encouraging given that he has come out and won his first race of this season in impressive fashion, that was a Class 2 Handicap off a 4lb higher mark of 102. Hoof It is now 5lb higher, however he could he could run to a higher rating at 6f, he was running on very well at the end when pipping Noble Storm. The only problem I see is if he runs too fresh on this his first run of the season and he runs himself out before the race begins in earnest. On another note I remember the days when Fallon was riding for Linda Ramsden and he knew this course like the back of his hand, so thats a definite plus.
The other one I like in this is Internationaldebut who finished 2nd in this same race 12 months ago when running on very well to cut through virtually the entire field to finish a 2 3/4 length behind Castles in the Air off a mark of 89, he's off 86 this time and it is hoped he doesnt give himself too much to do, although he needs plenty of pace to attack over this trip.
Discanti ran well behind Cape Vale recently but he is 9lb higher than his highest winning mark.
Wildcat Wizard is now in the care of David Nicholls and he sports blinkers for the first time after 2 runs for the stable for which he has been dropped 3lbs. He ran very well in 3rd behind Nicholls Joseph Henry and Victoire De Lyphar in the Stewards Cup consolation race last season coming with a strong run despite having to be switched round a wall of horses. His previous trainer Paul Cole said he would need a stiff 6f or 7f to show his best and he gets that here so you would expect to see him thereabouts at the end and 16/1 is good ew value from this stable although there are only 13 runners. Nicholls ran a total of 22 runners on Saturday, that must have been some operation, but he had 5 winners. The only thing that tempers enthusiasm is the jockey booking and because of that you have to think his day may be on another occasion.
Corporal Maddox ran his best race first time out last year for Henry Cecil when running 2nd to Society Rock beaten 3/4 of a length when trying to concede the subsequent Golden Jubilee 2nd 3lbs and he is now 4lb lower on a mark of 100.
Tombi is 10lb lower than when a 2 1/4 length 6th to Jimmy Styles in the 2009 Ayr Gold Cup, albeit he hasnt shown a great deal since.

I cant really see anything else getting into it and Hoof It could well  be a class above these. Kieran Fallon who was booked for his aborted ride at Doncaster takes the mount again and they should take all the beating with Internationaldebut set to take advantage should the fav falter.