Perth Festival Day 2 preview: Sharpasaknife looks a cut above
Published:
David Metcalf | April 20, 2016
Sharpasaknife can cut rivals down to size
Trainer Malcom Jefferson has his team in fine form, and the progressive Sharpasaknife looks to hold outstanding claims of providing him with another winner in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle on day two of the Perth Festival (15.00).
The gelding scored in terrific style on debut at Wetherby, travelling ominously well throughout before showing a smart turn of pace to win easing down by 11 lengths from Road To Gold who has won since and now rated 127.
Sharpasaknife then lost little in defeat when beaten 1/2 lengths by the thriving Point The Way at Market Rasen, before get back to winning ways on handicap debut at Haydock when last seen in action.
The six-year-old was given a confident ride in the latter by Brian Hughes and only had to be driven out close home to score by a cosy 3/4 of a length off a mark of 125.
Sharpasaknife was value for much more than the winning margin and the third and fourth home have since come out and won by wide margins.
That gives the form a solid look and suggests that a 6lb rise in the weights could well be on the lenient side, especially as Sharpasaknife remains unexposed and open to stacks more improvement.
Just Cameron gets the vote
In the 2m 4f feature handicap chase (16.00), Just Cameron can make his class tell to defy top weight and land the spoils.
The Micky Hammond trained gelding thrived last season when winning four times, and rounded off the campaign with a cracking three length second to Un De Sceaux in a Grade 1 contest at the Punchestown Festival.
Although yet to get his head in front in four starts this season, Just Cameron has been highly tried and ran really well on the second of those when a five length runner-up to Dandridge at Doncaster.
Dandridge has since gone on to finish runner-up at the Cheltenham Festival and Aintree, and it was a cracking effort by Just Cameron in attempting to give him 25lb.
The selection also ran well last time out when third at Kelso where his rider performed miracles to stay in the plate after a bad blunder to from home.
Judged on that run Just Cameron is ready to strike, and this class 2 contest represents an easier task than the nine-year-old has faced of late and an excellent opportunity for him to get back on the scoresheet.
Selections
14.00: Buyer Beware
14.30: Bring Back Charlie
15.00: Sharpasaknife (NAP)
15.30: Ink Master
16.00: Just Cameron (NB)
16.30: Monsieur Jourdain
17.00: Impulsive American
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