Storm ready to Rock at Doncaster in Lincoln Handicap
Published:
David Metcalf | April 1, 2016
Storm Rock can strike in Lincoln Handicap
Storm Rock looks decent value to land a typically wide-open and competitive renewal of the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (14:45).
The Harry Dunlop trained colt progressed throughout last season and looked one to keep onside when scoring on soft ground at Leicester back in October on return from a break.
Storm Rock travelled strongly throughout and only had to be ridden out to easily beat Pintura by 2 3/4 lengths.
The handicapper hit the four-year-old with a 15lb rise for that success, but the son of Rock Of Gibraltar ran a blinder of his revised rating of 102 when beaten just a neck by You’re Fired at Nottingham.
Storm Rock now meets his rival on 2lb better terms, and that should be more than enough to turn the tables.
Although not at his best when last seen in action on the Tapeta surface at Wolverhampton, Storm Rock will appreciate the return to the turf and has since been given a break to freshen-up.
His Leicester win shows that he clearly goes well fresh, and a mark of 100 looks exploitable given that Storm Rock looks the type who should have even more to offer this season.
Emerald a Spring Mile gem
In the Spring Mile that opens proceedings (14.15), the lightly-raced Emerald looks to have plenty going for him.
The Marco Botti trained gelding has only had five starts, and came good at the third time of asking when easily landing a 1m maiden at Nottingham by four lengths.
Emerald was then far from disgraced on handicap debut at York when fifth of 13 to Arthenus, before rounding off the campaign with a career-best effort to land a competitive 11-runner contest on soft ground at Newmarket.
The four-year-old was slowly away in the latter but, after making good headway two from home, showed a good turn of foot when switched to deliver a challenge approaching the final furlong to win going away at the line by 1 1/2 lengths.
It was a most taking performance given how the race panned out, and a 4lb rise could well be on the lenient side.
A rating of 87 could seriously underestimate Emarald’s ability, especially as he remains unexposed and open to stacks more improvement, and with underfoot conditions fine and William Buick in the saddle everything looks in place for a big run.
Selections
14.15: Emerald (NB)
14.45: Storm Rock (NAP)
15.20: Maarek
15.55: Belardo
16.30: The Last Lion
17.05: Mahfooz
17.40: Bertie Moon
18.10: Chilworth Bells
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