Progressive El McGlynn gets yet another chance in the seven-runner Maiden Stakes over six furlongs of Kempton polytrack tonight. With AWR champion jockey Luke Morris booked I'll bet she takes it! Ten outings have failed to yield a much-needed success (for breeding purposes!) but El McGlynn actually improved her time-handicap mark considerably, when beaten two lengths by our confident selection, Available, over five furlongs of Lingfield 'poly' last week. It stands to reason, this Elnadim filly is now ready to win and unless Clive Cox-trained newcomer, Perfect Fantasy is 'the biz,' we've got a 'special!'
Another consistent, somewhat luckless type is Sand Skier, one of seven declarations for the 'aged' handicap over eleven furlongs, just the right distance for Hans Adeilsson's charge which ran well last week, under 7lbs apprentice Nicole Nordblad. Sand Skier was just out-stayed over two furlongs further by heavily-backed The Holyman. It seemed just too far and significance is attached to bringing this Shamardal gelding back in trip. Napped, again! Earlier, Southwell stages a seven-race programme which includes the six-runner Maiden Stakes over five furlongs and an outstanding opportunity for How Sweet It Is, mount of William Carson.
Willie's grandson is certainly making a real of fist of jockeyship. In fact, the world is his oyster with backed by several stables, among them Charles Hills and with several pounds in hand, this should prove another 'Sweet' success. Cheltenham is just around the corner. Trainer Alan King has his horses in tremendous form and Bygones In Brid should be another for his powerful yard in the Novices' Hurdle over two and a half miles of Taunton, where ground conditions are forecast 'good' on the back of a very dry February.
What will March bring, winds or long-awaited rain?
SELECTIONS
RACE 6 (#4) BYGONES IN BRID
RACE 17 (#4) HOW SWEET IT IS
RACE 37 (#4) EL MCGLYNN
RACE 40 (#7) SAND SKIER (nap)
