The £15,000 prize for the Squirrel Handicap at Leicester this afternoon has attracted an interesting field of eight runners and even Passover, the 20-1 outsider, has form in the book which would give him a chance.
Monotype is the likely favourite, following a comfortable success in a handicap at Ffos Las in September, his first win since joining Roger Varian following the fallout between Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, his owner, and former trainer Luca Cumani this time last year.
That was a step up in form for Monotype but the time of the race was not exceptional and the third and fourth home, the only two runners from the race to have had a subsequent start, both finished soundly beaten next time out.
This is a tougher assignment from a 6lb higher mark and preference is for Mark Johnston’s Stars Over The Sea (3.50), who has failed to add to a five-length victory at Pontefract in early August in four subsequent starts but has run with credit every time. He likes to make the running and while there are a couple more potential pace-setters in the field, he will be difficult to pass if Joe Fanning can get him settled in front.
There is an 18-runner field declared for the six-furlong handicap that follows but the race is not as deep as the numbers may suggest and Unnoticed (4.20) is well worth a bet to improve on his second place over seven furlongs at Brighton last time out. He joined the Cumani stable around the time that Sheikh Obaid’s horses left, and looked very capable of winning from his current mark of 65.
Bloodsweatandtears (4.10) goes well at Brighton and should follow up his recent success over course and distance from a 2lb higher mark, while Vanderbilt (3.10) may be the one to back in an interesting maiden earlier on the same card. Whatsthemessage (3.00) looks solid in the seven-furlong nursery at Catterick, while Thecornishbarron (7.40) may have a better chance that early odds of 12-1 might suggest on the late card at Kempton.
We are no longer able to continue with competitions every week but they will still run in the biggest weeks (Cheltenham, Aintree, Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and maybe one or two others, as well as the Christmas quiz).
We’ll still have a Talking Horses each day for tips, analysis and news, so we very much hope you’ll join us to chew over whatever racing happens to be going on and post your tips or racing-related comments below.
