Chepstow and Stratford previews: Wahaab weighted to gain compensation
Published:
David Metcalf | June 28, 2016
Wahaab can get back to winning ways
Wahaab was a desperately unlucky loser when runner-up last time out, and can go one better to gain compensation and score an overdue success in the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Chepstow (18.40).
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 him a huge chance on the pick of his form in this class 6 affair, and Wahaab comes into it having been knocked sideways a furlong from home at Brighton seven days ago, before going down by a diminishing 1/2 a length to Titus Secret.
There is little doubt in my mind that Wahaab would have prevailed but for the interference, and the son of Tamayuz is able to race in this off an unchanged mark.
It makes Wahaab, who is due to race off a revised rating of 60 in future contests, 3lb well-in at the weights and the one to beat.
Mud-loving Medburn fancied to follow-up
Medburn Cutler scored in good style last time out and can make light of a penalty to follow-up in the 2m handicap (20.10).
The Paul Henderson trained gelding is at his best when the mud is flying and is a three-time winner at the venue.
Medburn Cutler loves nothing more than a slog, and took advantage of a drop in the weights to get back on the scoresheet on heavy ground at Leicester seven days ago.
After being produced to lead two from home, the six-year-old found plenty when pressed inside the last to score with more in hand than the neck winning margin suggests.
It’s no surprise to see connections turn out Medburn Cutler quickly whilst underfoot conditions are in his favour, and he looks capable of defying a 6lb penalty to enhance his good record at the Welsh venue.
Chepstow selections
18.10: Hedging
18.40: Wahaab (NAP)
19.10: Cause And Effect
19.40: Feed The Goater
20.10: Medburn Cutler (NB)
20.40: Doctor Kehoe
21.10: Prim And Proper
Dancer can waltz to success at Stratford
Deauville Dancer has some strong form to his name and looks to have been found a glorious opportunity to open his account over the obstacles in the 2m maiden hurdle, which opens proceedings on this evening’s card at Stratford (18.20).
The gelding was a fairly usfeul sort on the level when trained by Sir Mark Prescott, and shaped with bags of promise on hurdling debut at Doncaster when second of 17 to Winter Escape on his first start for David Dennis.
Deauville Dancer stuck to the task well to go down by 3 3/4 lengths, and the winner is a very useful sort who has gone on to score twice since to be rated 142.
That is very strong form in the context of this contest, and a reproduction would make the five-year-old very hard to beat.
Although Deauville Dancer failed to build on that effort in his next three starts, there was much more to like about his third at Ffos Las earlier in the month, and this is a weak class 5 contest that should be his for the taking on his run behind Winter Escape.
Wildmoor Boy appeals on handicap debut
In the 2m 6f handicap hurdle (20.20), Wildmoor Boy is a fascinating contender judged on his debut run when third in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham.
The Robert Dickin trained gelding shaped with bags of promise when beaten just 2 3/4 lengths by Wishfull Dreaming in a competitive 15-runner affair at Prestbury Park and the winner is now rated 117.
That race has also thrown-up plenty of subsequent winners, and although Wildmoor Boy has been disappointing since going hurdling he looks the type that could do better now going down the handicap route.
An opening mark of 88 looks explotable if that proves to be the case, and another plus is that the five-year-old hails from a yard going well at present.
Stratford selections
18.20: Deauville Dancer (NAP)
18.50: Lakeshore Lady
19.20: Annie Alainn
19.50: Monkey Kingdom
20.20: Wildmoor Boy (NB)
20.50: Sam Noir
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