Warwick preview: Solidago has plenty going for him
Published:
David Metcalf | December 31, 2015
Solidago has shaped well on his last two starts and can take advantage of what looks a handy mark to open his account in the 2m 3f novices’ handicap hurdle at Warwick today (12.40).
The gelding is yet to get his head in front in 15 starts over hurdles, but did run some solid races last year to make the frame on five occasions when trained by Stuart Crawford.
They included a good second at Musselburgh off a mark of 100, and a fine third to at Perth off 105.
Now in the care of Barry Leavy, the eight-year-old is able to race off a career-low mark of just 91 following a couple of eye-catching efforts.
In the first of those at Ludlow, Solidago was held-up well off the pace before making good headway three from home and kept on to finish a never nearer 17 length fifth of 15 to Scoppio Del Carro under tender handling.
Solidago backed that up with a staying on 5 3/4 third in the mud at Uttoxeter over 2m behind Barista.
Judged on those efforts Solidago is coming to the boil nicely, and this is a weak class 5 contest which looks a glorious opening for him to get off the mark.
Quick return for American Life
The Sophie Leech trained gelding revelled in the testing conditions and cruised home hard held to win by 13 lengths.
It was a performance which suggested American Life needed keeping onside whilst the mud was flying, and he is sure to get a hefty rise in the weights when his mark is reassessed.
Connections have wisely decided to turn him out quickly under a mandatory penalty, and the race is unlikely to come too soon for American Life as he landed a hat-trick last year within the space of just 16 days.
Selections
12.40: Solidago (NAP)
13.10: American Life (NB)
13.40: Muckle Roe
14.10: Incentivise
14.40: Katie Too
15.10: Princesse Fleur
15.40: Informationisking
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