Newmarket preview: Knife Edge ready to cut a dash
Published:
David Metcalf | October 21, 2015
Knife Edge scored in good style on debut and looks the answer to the 7f conditions’ contest on today’s eight-race card at Newmarket (15.45).
The Marco Botti trained colt showed plenty of pace to track the leaders before taking up the running two from home and staying on strongly to beat Paris Protocol by 3/4 of a length in a 7f maiden at Ascot last month.
Paris Protocol has since gone on to score in good style at Salisbury, and the pair pulled 2 1/4 lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look.
Judged on the manner of that victory, Knife Edge looks a good prospect who needs keeping firmly onside.
The son of Zoffany is also entitled to improve significantly for that outing and receives a handy 5lb from main market rival Storm Rising.
With Andrea Atzeni in the saddle, Knife Edge can take this before going on to better things.
Laafiraaq could not have been more impressive when scoring last time out and can take advantage of what looks a lenient handicap mark to follow-up in the 1m 1f nursery (16.55).
The Mark Johnston trained colt shaped with promise on his first two starts when looking far to green to do himself justice, and then showed marked improvement to justify favouritism in a 1m maiden at Hamilton in emphatic fashion.
Laafiraaq made all and drew clear inside the final furlong to win easing down by seven lengths from Head High and had the rest of the field strung out like washing.
Although the son of Cape Cross may not have won by much, he did so without breaking sweat and could not have been visually more impressive.
Laafiraaq is clearly on an upward curve, and an opening mark of 76 may seriously underestimate his ability.
The step up in trip also looks sure to suit, and with Paul Hanagan in the saddle Laafiraaq is going to be a tough not to crack.
Selections:
13.30: White Poppy
14.00: Motdaw
14.35: Tigerwolf
15.10: Mootaharer
15.45: Knife Edge (NAP)
16.20: Prize Money
16.55: Laafiraaq (NB)
17.25: Imshivalla
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