Haydock and Salisbury previews: Forge can power to glory
Published:
David Metcalf | September 1, 2016
Class-dropping Forge hot stuff at Haydock
Forge was not at his best last time out but can bounce back to land the 7f conditions’ contest on today’s card at Haydock (16:00) now eased significantly in grade.
The Sir Michael Stoute trained colt could finish only sixth to Nemoralia in a Group 3 contest at York but prior to that had posted a series of solid efforts.
After running out the easy winner of a maiden at Doncaster back in April, Forge ran a stormer when a 2 1/2 length third to Ribchester in the Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Ribchester has since gone on to finish an unlucky third to The Gurkha in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood before beating a top class field in the Group 1 Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.
That form stands out in this line-up and Forge backed up that effort with a fine 1/2 length second in a Group 3 at Goodwood.
This class 3 conditions’ contest represents a big drop in class and offers an excellent opportunity for Forge to get back on the scoresheet.
Dark Amber weighted to shine
Dark Amber has become dangerously well-treated and looks decent value to land the extended 1m 3f handicap that brings proceedings to a close (17.00).
The Brendan Powell trained mare was last successful at Goodwood 12 months ago when only having to be nudged out to score by a neck off a mark of 68.
Dark Amber was then far from disgraced when third at Ffos Las off 74 and is now able to race off a reduced rating just 58.
That gives the six-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective and she comes into the contest on the back of a decent sixth of 19 in a class 1 apprentice handicap at Leopardstown.
The winner and the runner-up in that contest have both come out and won since and that gives the former a rock solid look in relation to this less competitive class 5 affair.
Haydock selections
14.00: Elraazy
14.30: Swiss Storm
15.00: Star Archer
15.30: Trinity Star
16.00: Forge (NAP)
16.30: Cymro
17.00: Dark Amber (NB)
Faith can strike Gold at Salisbury
Gold Faith has some strong form to his name and can cash-in on a drop in class to land the 1m 4f handicap on today’s card at Salisbury (16.40).
The Ralph Beckett trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise in his first two starts this season, most notably when a 1/2 length runner-up to Real Dominion at Kempton.
Real Dominion, from whom the selection was receiving 2lb, has since gone on to finish runner-up in two decent class 2 handicaps to be rated 94 and the form has solid look.
Gold Faith then ran out the ready winner of a decent class 3 contest at Newmarket where, after being held-up, he made good headway two furlongs from home to take up the running approaching the last and surge clear to beat Rockspirit, going away by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 79.
The runner-up, to whom he was conceding 12lb, has come out and scored since in a class 2 contest at Yarmouth off a mark of 91, and that makes Gold Faith’s current mark of 85 look very exploitable.
Although not at his best last time out in a hot class 2 handicap at Goodwood, this class 4 contest represents a big drop in class and gives Gold Faith outstanding claims of getting back to winning ways.
Show Stealer to turn on the style
Show Stealer caught the eye last time out and looks the answer to the 6f handicap (16.10).
The Rae Guest trained filly won twice as a juvenile and posted a much improved effort on return to action at Newamrket in May, when beating subsequent dual Listed winner and now 111-rated Marsha by 1/2 a length in a hot class 2 contest.
Show Stealer was then far from disgraced when finishing a 2 3/4 length seventh of 20 to Dancing Star at the same venue, and the winner is a highly progressive sprinter who has since gone on to land the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood in tremendous style to be rated 108.
Those races represent extremely strong form and Show Stealer comes into the contest on the back of a fine fast finishing fourth of 13 to Opal Tiara at York after rearing at the start and forfeiting a huge amount of ground.
Opal Tiara has since gone on to land Group 3 at Goodwood and, if getting away on terms, this looks a golden opportunity for Show Stealer to capitalise on what looks a handy mark of 91 to notch a fourth career success.
Salisbury selections
13.40: Salouen
14.10: Intisha
14.40: Contentment
15.10: Argenterie
15.40: Perfect Angel
16.10: Show Stealer (NB)
16.40: Gold Faith (NAP)
17.10: Artists Model
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