3 minute read
Sam King is back with three selections to start the week on this marvellous Monday.
We head to Windsor for our first wager and Decisive Call looks like a decent each-way bet in the At The Races App Form Study Handicap (4.20).
Gary Moore's charge is the most unexposed runner in the field and arrives following a pleasing stable debut for new connections last time. Following three runs under the care of Roger Teal, Decisive Call joined the Gary Moore team and he shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up in a mile-and-a-quarter contest on his handicap bow at Brighton three weeks ago.
Although ultimately no match for a decisive winner, he stayed on well all the way to the line, leaving the impression there would certainly be more to come from him with that run under his belt. Stepping up further in trip could also unlock some extra improvement and he looks to hold solid claims racing off the same mark back on a sounder surface.
Selection: Decisive Call – General 6/1
Wolverhampton hosts nine races on the all-weather this evening, including some competitive handicap action towards the end of the card.
The Breeders' Cup On Sky Sports Racing Handicap at 7.00 sees nine go to post and I'm slightly surprised Study The Stars isn't shorter in the market to land the spoils.
The George Baker-trained contender returned from an eleven-month break at the top of his game when scoring over a mile and a half at Kempton last month. His first attempt over two miles was a promising one, when third at the same venue just ten days later and although it's tough to say he didn't stay, I suspect he's a much stronger proposition dropping back to this trip.
Aidan Keeley's valuable 3lb claims puts him just 1lb higher than that Kempton victory in September and the return to Wolverhampton will pose no issues for this previous course and distance scorer.
There doesn't look to be all that much competition for the early lead on paper and armed with a good draw in stall two, I'm hoping Aidan Keeley can get his mount out into a nice prominent position.
He does have a career-high mark of 80 to overcome but with a relatively unexposed profile in middle-distance handicaps, it certainly wouldn't be surprising if he had more to offer on the all-weather over the winter months.
Selection: Study The Stars - General 7/1
Later on the card, I'm quite sweet on the chances of Major Gatsby in the concluding At The Races App Form Study Handicap at 8.30.
The gelded son of The Grey Gatsby hasn't entered the winners' enclosure since June last year but has been steadily coming down the handicap as a result. Bill Turner's runner produced a solid effort when third on soft ground at Brighton last time but it's the switch back to an all-weather surface, especially the Tapeta, that really catches the eye.
With a record of three from four over tonight's course and distance, it's obvious that he excels under these conditions and a 2lb drop following his last start Brighton third, sees him now 7lb below his last winning mark.
The four-year-old grey won three times over course and distance between the months of January and April last season, with the last of those successes coming off a mark 3lb higher than today's rating of 58.
Stall one is absolutely perfect for this confirmed front-runner, and everything looks to be in place for a big effort back on the Tapeta this evening.
Selection: Major Gatsby – General 10/3
