Worcester preview: Golden chance for Amour D’or
Published:
David Metcalf | October 21, 2015
Amour D’or caught the eye last time out and looks weighted to take all the beating in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle on today’s card at Worcester (16.35).
The Nick Williams trained filly looked a useful sort when winning on her second start in a bumper at Newbury back in December, travelling well throughout and only having to be ridden out to easily beat Rose Revived by 4 1/2 lengths.
Amour D’or went on to run a couple of solid races over hurdles at this venue, finishing five length second to the now 130-rated Storm Of Swords and a 2 1/4 length runner-up to Stoneham.
The four-year-old rounded of the campaign with a 10 length success in a minor mares’ contest in Le lion-d’angers, France, and after being given a break shaped far better than the finishing position suggest when fifth of nine to Kayf Willow on handicap debut over 2m 5f at Newton Abbot earlier in the month.
Amour D’or travelled strongly for much of the contest until a bad mistake two from home put paid to her chances, and the daughter of Winged Love was then not knocked about and allowed to come home in her own time to be beaten eight lengths.
It was an effort which suggested there was better to come, and Amour D’or has since been dropped 3lb to what looks an exploitable mark of 105.
In the 2m 7f handicap chase that opens proceedings (13.45), Scottish raider Cobajayisland holds leading claims of making a winning reappearance.
Trained by Lucinda Russell, the gelding was a point winner who opened his account over the obstacles at the first time of asking when staying on gamely to land a novice handicap chase at Hexham off a mark of 105.
The seven-year-old got put up to 112 for that success, and after finishing a distant fourth in a decent contest at Aintree ran really well when runner-up to Bearly Legal at Musselburgh.
Cobajayisland went on to round off the campaign off with a solid 1 3/4 length second to Up And Go at Newcastle off a mark of 110, and is now able to race off 109.
The son of Heron Island also has the services of Derek Fox in the saddle who is terrific value for his 3lb claim, and if taking into into account is just 1lb higher than when last successful.
That gives Cobajayisland a great chance from a handicapping perspective, and fitness is unlikely to be an issue given that he won first time up last season.
Selections:
13.45: Cobajayisland (NB)
14.15: Skylander
14.50: All Together
15.25: Ballyandy
16.00: Avispa
16.35: Amour D’or (NAP)
17.05: Corner Creek
17.35: Nutcracker Prince
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