Fakenham and Warwick previews: Girly Girl has plenty going for her
Published:
David Metcalf | January 28, 2016
Golden chance for Girly Girl at Fakenham
Girly Girl can take advantage of a drop in class to land the 2m 7f novices’ hurdle on today’s card at Fakenham (14.00).
The mare was a point winner who showed progressive form in three bumper runs after joining trainer Dan Skelton, winning in good style at Worcester on the last occasion.
Girly Girl then made a winning debut over the obstacles at Plumpton when jumping well and making all to easily beat Catherines Well by 3 1/2 lengths.
The runner-up has since come out and bolted up in a handicap at Doncaster, and the pair pulled 16 lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look.
It was a most taking and professional performance, and one which suggested Girly Girl would be capable of winning plenty more races and needed keeping firmly onside.
Although the seven-year-old could finish only a distant fifth of six to Myska last time out at Taunton, that was a Listed contest which represented a very stiff task and this class 4 affair is far easier and represents a golden chance for Girly Girl to get back to winning ways.
Lots to like about Listen Boy
Listen Boy has shaped well in two starts this season and can gain a deserved success in the 3m handicap chase (14.30) now dropped back in trip.
The Nigel Twiston-Davies trained gelding is a consistent performer who looked as good as ever when scoring first time up last season at Uttoxeter.
Listen Boy only had to be driven out to beat Arctic Ben by two lengths off a mark of 118, and after unseating next time up at Newbury rounded off a light campaign with a solid second Lingfield off 125.
The 10-year-old-old is now able to race off 2lb lower, and comes into the race after two excellent efforts when finishing third at Lingfield and Haydock.
Listen Boy seemed to find his stamina stretched at Haydock when third to Rigadin De Beauchene over 3m 3f on bottomless ground, as he held every chance and appeared to be travelling well four from home before weakening before the last to be beaten 15 lengths.
The drop back to 3m looks sure to suit, and with Ryan Hatch in the saddle taking off 3lb with his claim the son of Presenting looks weighted to take all the beating.
Selections
13.25: Brinestine
14.00: Girly Girl (NAP)
14.30: Listen Boy (NB)
15.05: Barman
15.40: Minella Bliss
16.10: Hassadin
As De Fer the ace in the pack ar Warwick
As De Fer can take advantage of a big drop in the weights to score a long overdue success in the 3m handicap chase on today’s card at Warwick (14.20).
The Anthony Honeyball trained gelding enjoyed a productive time in 2011 when showing improved form to score three times, with the last of those success coming off a mark of 135 in the mud at Ffos Las.
As De Fer got put up to 139 after that victory, and it’s fair to say that he has really struggled since.
However, that has resulted in the assessor cutting the 10-year-old plenty of slack and he is now able to race off a career-low mark of 106 as a result.
That is a massive 29lb lower than when last successful, and gives As De Fer outstanding claims from a handicapping perspective.
As De Fer also hinted at a return to form when a fine second to Conas Taoi over 3m at Ffos Las on his penultimate outing, and can be forgiven his run last time failing to stay and pulled-up in a 3m 6f contest at Exeter.
The drop back down to 3m is sure to suit, and with the useful David Noonan in the saddle taking off 5lb with his claim As De Fer looks weighted to get back on the scoresheet.
Dan Emmett can deliver now dropped in grade
In the 3m 2f handicap hurdle (14.55), Dan Emmett looks decent value to land the spoils now dropped back in class.
The Michael Scudamore trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise on his second start this season when runner-up to Net Work Rouge over course and distance, travelling strongly throughout but making a couple of costly errors before being beaten 3 1/2 lengths.
Dan Emmett then showed a good attitude to go one better land a class 3 contest at Chepstow off a mark of 118, and ran far better than his final finishing position suggests last time out in a very competitive class 2 contest at Cheltenham when a 28 length seventh of 16 to Singlefarmpayment off a revised mark of 125.
The six-year-old showed enough in the latter to suggest his current mark should not be beyond him, and Dan Emmett is sure to appreciate the drop back down to class 3 company in which he was last successful.
With underfoot conditions holding no fears, and the prospect of further improvement to come, a big run looks on the cards.
Selections
13.50: Fixe Le Kap
14.20: As De Fer (NAP)
14.55: Dan Emmett (NB)
15.30: Mia’s Storm
16.00: Mendip Express
16.30: Ballycash
