Moonrise can confirm promise by Landing AW Marathon Final
Published:
Harry Preston | March 23, 2016
The concluding race of All Weather Finals Day is the Marathon, which is just shy of 2m. Fillies and mares involved in the race receive 5lb from the colts and geldings and the nature of the Lingfield track puts more emphasis on speed than dour staying.
This was proved by 2014 victor Litigant who quickened up to win stylishly and has since gone onto win the Ebor over 14 furlongs and the November Handicap over one-and-a-half miles.
Progressive mare looks to be the answer
On weight adjusted ratings, Ralph Beckett’s Moonrise Landing is officially 6lb clear and it is not hard to see why she is the clear favourite with Coral. She has improved 20lb in her last three runs with her most recent performance her most impressive, giving the impression there was even more to come.
It came at Wolverhampton in mid-December where she thumped Anglophile, who re-opposes, by four-and-a-half lengths. Settled in the rear under a confident-looking Jim Crowley, Moonrise Landing cut through the field turning for home and won going away.
This was an authoritative performance of a mare on the up; her handler Beckett has a great record of two Oaks and a St Leger. Moonrise Landing comes to Lingfield off a break and is a very fair price, although she may be one the layers will want to take on, especially if they’ve had a good day.
Anglophile will need to reverse form
The horse she beat at Wolverhampton is Anglophile, who was tantalisingly beaten by a head in the Marathon last year. He has good course form, having also won a fast track qualifier in January at Lingfield, although that race was run at a very muddling pace and the form does not seem rock solid.
Pinzolo, the horse in third that day, was well beaten next time out and the second Ballynanty re-opposes on Friday (although on 2lb worse terms). Anglophile makes more appeal on that basis, especially with James Doyle back to take the ride. However on what they have achieved in their last runs, they are too short and can be passed over.
Surf looks to be overpriced
Notarised from Mark Johnston’s yard, was an impressive winner last time and reversed form with John Reel, who also re-opposes on Friday.
A useful horse on the turf last season, he travelled noticeably well last time and put the race to bed in good style. However, the favourite ran no race and perhaps the form is a shade below what is needed for this.
Joe Fanning keeps the ride, but he has been well found in the market and favourite Moonrise Landing can easily outclass Notarised.
At a big price, Amanda Perrett’s Blue Surf could be worth an each-way wager. He was beaten under two lengths by Anglophile two starts back yet trades at five times his price.
This horse won a good handicap on Derby day last year and, although he might struggle to win, his price represents far better value that that of Anglophile
Selections
Win – Moonrise Landing
Each-Way – Blue Surf
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