Justin Snaith may be on the point of losing his trainer’s crown but for the third successive season he will train the most winners and he should waste no time in adding to his tally (currently 174) at Kenilworth tomorrow.
Aspara, who lost ground at the start last time, should be able to beat the poorly drawn Top Of The Rock in the opening Welcome Maiden but 35 minutes later it is Silver Mountain who stands out. The Mike Bass-trained filly went into the Winning Ways notebook with a cracking first run and she looks impossible to oppose.
Her danger is probably Blu-Tack who returned with a mouth injury last time. “It was a minor thing, nothing really,” says Dean Kannemeyer. “She disappointed us the first time but she then improved and she will continue to improve.”
Mamselle Al is proving expensive and has started favourite in her last three races. Even so, she looks worth another chance in the Soccer 6 Maiden and can reverse the form with So Suspect. “She jumped sideways last time, taking out four or five horses, and had the wind knocked out of herself,” says Glen Kotzen.
Glen Puller was bullish about Solar Night on debut and the gelding proved him right by going under by only a short head to the highly regarded Cuban Emerald. Brandon Morgenrood’s mount looks a ready-made winner in the Winter Holidays Maiden.
Stan Elley is intent on the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap being run at a strong pace. “My World (4-1 in the Betting World forecast) is looking for a mile and a half plus and so we will chase him along early,” reports the gelding’s trainer. “If he can get to the front then we will have a chance.”
Paolo (7-2) stands out on recent form but he has been raised a kilo for last time’s second and Johnny Rockets is better off with Paolo, Friendly Tibbs (9-2) and Tribal Dance (5-1). Johnny Rockets was ridden from the back last time, and was still last two furlongs out, but he is 28-10 favourite in the forecast and that is short enough. If he drifts to 7-2 or better, and he could well do so, he would be worth considering.
Snaith boldly pitches two-year-old winner A Time To Dream into handicap company against older horses in the last and, while the handicappers appear to have taken no chances with an 84 rating, the filly still appeals.
One worth considering each way at a decent price (8-1) is Alzerra who returns after nearly three months off. “She may just need it but we have put quite a lot of work into her and she is well drawn which is a big advantage,” says her trainer.
By Michael Clower
Picture: Brandon Morgenrood
