Longer trip can help Folio to buck long losing run
Willie Musson’s gelding competed in Listed class as a juvenile, but accordingly struggled with a high rating in handicaps for the next couple of seasons.
He has started to run a lot better since his mark began to tumble, but as a five-year-old, he seems to need a slightly longer trip as he does all of his best work at the end.
Folio saved his finest performance in a handicap at Newmarket early last month, where he came with a late rattle to get very close to Everest.
It is interesting that the shrewd Musson tries him at 10 furlongs for the first time in the Howard Moss “Lifetime In Racing” Handicap.
Proxenia must go close off a featherweight in the City Life Magazine Fillies’ Novice Auction Stakes. Frustratingly, she has managed to take the runner-up spot on five of her seven starts but she does not seem to be ungenuine.
The Pursuit Of Love filly has found the likes of Asaawir and Mixed Blessing too good in maiden company before Mick Channon gave her a shot at a huge prize by putting her in the Watership Down Stud Sales Race at Newbury.
She was running on well at the end to finish eight lengths behind Expensive and stablemate Flashy Wings and has her best chance yet of opening her account at the eighth attempt.
Play Me looks a shoo-in in the second division of the Letheby & Christopher Stable Staff Maiden Stakes if taking her debut third to Oaks winner Eswarah at face value.
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s filly then finished third in the Musidor Stakes at York, before she had some time off.
On her return in the competitive John Doyle Stakes at Newmarket she met with a little interference, but was nowhere near the class of easy winner Ouija Board and finished 10th.
Play Me’s owners Bloomsbury Stud will be keen to get a victory into this nicely-bred filly, and this could be the day.
Kim Bailey likes to have a winner at his local track and Murphy’s Nails can provide it in the Epson Handicap Hurdle at Towcester.
One of the few in the field who is in form, the eight-year-old was second in a similar event over course and distance in May before running the improving Michaels Dream to five lengths at Bangor last month. A reproduction of that form would see him go close.
