Fontwell and Salisbury previews: Le Bacardy the percentage call
David Metcalf | June 7, 2016
Le Bacardy to be the toast of Fontwell
Le Bacardy ran well when runner-up last time out and can take advantage on a drop in the weights to go one better in the 2m 1f handicap chase at Fontwell today (15.00).
The 10-year-old was a useful sort in his prime and looked as good as ever when landing a class 3 contest at Market Rasen 13 months ago off a mark of 135 for trainer Dan Skelton.
Le Bacardy was put up to 142 for that victory and subsequently only managed to make the frame once in his next seven starts.
However, that resulted in the handicapper cutting the gelding plenty of slack and he is now able to race in this off just 120.
That gives Le Barcady major claims at the weights, and the son of Bahhare comes into the race on the back of a solid second at Market Rasen on his first start for new handler Grace Harris.
If building on that Le Barcardy has a huge chance in this class 4 contest, especially as he has a strike rate of just over 57 per cent in the grade (three wins and one place from seven runs).
Money Talks each-way value
In the 2m 3f handicap hurdle (16.30), Money Talks is weighted to go well on the pick of his form and looks decent each-way value in a wide open contest.
The Michael Madgewick trained gelding is a dual winner over the smaller obstacles, and in the last of those successes at Fontwell 12 months ago scored by a 53 lengths off an official rating of 124.
Money Talks was given an opening handicap mark of 130 for that runaway victory, and was pulled-up off it in a competitive class 2 affair at Sandown.
The six-year-old then had his attentions switched to chasing, but has managed to make the frame just once in six starts when third at this venue three starts back.
Money Talks clearly hasn’t taken to the larger obstacles, but is potentially very well-treated off a mark of 112 now switched back to hurdles in a weak class 5 affair and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back and run a huge race.
Fontwell selections
14.00: On Alberts Head
14.30: Replacement Plan
15.00: Le Bacardy (NAP)
15.30: Ritual Of Senses
16.00: For ‘n’ Against
16.30: Money Talks (E/W)
17.00: Dawnieriver (NB)
17.30: Ourmanmassini
Sacred Harp ready to call the tune at Salisbury
Sacred Harp put in a much improved effort when runner-up on seasonal reappearance and can go one better to land the 5f handicap on today’s card at Salisbury (15.45).
The filly failed to trouble the judged in three starts as a juvenile for trainer Charlie Appleby, but did hint at ability.
On her second start over 6f, Sacred Harp raced keenly until getting shuffled back into mid-division when trying to make a move two from home ad was eased in the final 100 yards once it was clear she would not be winning to finish a 6 3/4 length ninth of 11 to Rebel Surge.
The winner is a useful sort now rated 91, and the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth have all won since.
That made Sacred Harp look interesting going handicapping off a lowly mark of just 61, and the daughter of Oasis Duly shaped as if she was ahead of the assessor when chasing home Lady Joanna Vassa at Nottingham last month on her first start for new handler Stuart Williams.
If building on that, Sacred Harp looks weighted to open her account.
Wahaab weighted to strike for in-form Hughes
Trainer Richard Hughes has his team in fine form and Wahaab can cash-in on a career-low mark to provide him with another winner in the 6f handicap that closes proceedings (17.45).
The gelding was a smart juvenile when trained by Richard Hannon, winning on debut at Goodwood before finishing seventh of 15 to War Command in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes.
Things haven’t gone to plan since, but having initially been rated 91 the five-year-old is now able to race off just 57.
That gives Wahaab major claims from a handicapping perspective, and the son of Tamayuz comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching effort when fourth over 1m at Bath.
It was a big step back in the right direction, and with the drop in trip holding no fears this looks a nice opening for Wahaab to score a long overdue success.
Salisbury selections
14.15: Ariena
14.45: Ehtiraas
15.15: Marbooh
15.45: Sacred Harp (NAP)
16.15: White Poppy
16.45: Blenheim Warrior
17.15: Indie Music
17.45: Wahaab (NB)
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