Mon Michel disappointed at Fontwell – he travelled well enough but faded to 5th at the end of the race. We were expecting better. He scoped clean and his blood was good after the race but he did cough – I don’t think he was 100%. No matter – he’s filled out and he’s ripe to go chasing now.
Both of my big fancies over the weekend were non runners. It seems that some of David Pipe’s horses are not right – Ashkazar was withdrawn after a poor blood test. Starluck came out of the juvenile and runs in a weaker race today at Fakenham. I’m guessing it was down to concern over the ground – it’s good ground with good to soft patches at Fakenham and no rain forecast.
The 2 mile hurdle course at Fakenham generally suits speedy types over staying types. The juvenile looks a decent race in an otherwise moderate day’s racing. Starluck faces a couple of decent opponents – Maxwil from Gary Moore’s yard and Laterly from Tom Tate’s.
This is the right type of race for Maxwil – a sharp 2 miles on good ground. Laterly is a exciting recruit to jumps – a classy front runner with loads of stamina. Starluck will appreciate the tow and will have speed at the end of the race.
No doubt Laterly will cut out the pace, but this is his first effort over jumps and I don’t think this is the right track for him. Maxwil would like a nice easy pace and a sprint at the end, but Laterly will probably try to make it a test which won’t suit. By process of elimination I end up with Starluck, the horse I wanted to be backing anyway – the signs are that he is showing plenty at home. He’ll be my only bet today.