My Drop can get punters off to a flyer
Eoghan O’Neill’s colt made a promising start to his career when finishing just three lengths off the pace in a Lingfield maiden over six furlongs.
Although nothing out of the ordinary, the form is working out well enough and the Danetime colt can be expected to improve considerably for the experience. The yard scored with a similar type earlier in the month and although the drop back to five furlongs is a slight concern, he should be able to open his account.
A number of in-form horses line up in the following pontins.com Handicap over a mile but none make more appeal than Picador.
Sir Mark Prescott has few peers when it comes to placing his horses and the Pivotal gelding is likely to be a warm order as he bids to supplement his Wolverhampton gains.
He led from pillar to post last time and, with stamina assured having already scored over 10 furlongs, he could be hard to pass if he gets to the front.
The primary concern is that he flopped last month when turned out quickly in an attempt to complete a quickfire double. However, he spoilt his chance by racing too keenly that day and is unlikely to suffer the same fate again.
History Prize is one to note in the penultimate race on the card - thebookiebasher.com Handicap – but Rood Boy makes more appeal in the same contest.
Simon Earle’s gelding has not raced since winning here over 11 furlongs in December 2005. But the Wiltshire based trainer has proved fully capable of turning out his horses ready to do the business at the first time of asking.
He resumes on a 4lb lower mark than when last in action and this winning hurdler should be better served by the step up to a mile and a half which he tackles for the first time.
Schuh Shine looks capable of landing a hat-trick in the Crown Racing Novices’ Hurdle at Fontwell.
A winner at Warwick in December, Venetia Williams’ charge followed up at Hereford earlier this month with a cosy 11-length victory.
He will be suited by the likely conditions at the Sussex track as both recent victories came in testing ground.
Although a 16lb rise in the weights may look harsh, the 10-year-old gelding has won off a higher mark over fences and looks capable of making it three in a row.
