Nottingham preview: Cloud Seven looks a cut-above for Chris Wall
Published:
Cloud Seven looked miles ahead of the assessor when scoring impressively on his handicap debut, and can shrug aside a 10lb rise in the weights to follow-up in the 1m contest on this evening’s card at Nottingham (19.45).
The Chris Wall trained colt progressed with each run in three starts at a juvenile, and could not have been more impressive when making a winning return to action in a 1m handicap at Kempton last month.
After showing good speed from an unfavourable wide draw to race in touch on the outside, Cloud Seven made good headway two from home before quickening clear approaching the final furlong to win easing down by two lengths.
It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested the son of Derby winner New Approach needed keeping firmly on side.
Although Cloud Seven has been hit with a hefty rise for that success, he won with any amount in hand and remains unexposed and open to stacks more improvement.
I will be surprised if Cloud Seven doesn’t turn out to be much better than his current rating of 78, and the three-year-old looks potentially in a different league to today’s rivals.
In the 5f handicap (18.40), Basheba can build on a promising comeback run to land the spoils now dropped back in trip.
The gelding ended last season in terrific form, winning three of his five starts in the manner of a progressive sort.
Basheba was particularly impressive in the last of those at Bath when coming with a steady run from off the pace to forge clear and score readily by two lengths off a mark of 66.
Although now 6lb higher in the weights, the Nigel Tinkler trained four-year-old may well have more to offer judged on his run off it when third to Clubland over 6f at Thirsk last month.
Basheba showed plenty of pace to race prominently throughout, and after taking up the running two from home was unable to find any extra after being headed approaching the final furlong.
The son of Iffraaj is sure to strip much fitter for the outing, his first in 213 days, and the drop back to 5f is a massive plus as all four of Basheba’s career successes have come over it.
Selections:
17.30: Highlife Dancer
18.05: Justice Rock
18.40: Bashiba (NB)
19.15: Cosmic Chatter
19.45: Cloud Seven (NAP)
20.15: Overlord
20.45: Slunovrat
