Song of Norway to hit the right notes at Wolverhampton today in the Maiden Fillies' Stakes over seven furlongs of the now-accepted Tapeta surface; Peter Makin's charge was certainly 'off-key' last time out but there was a good reason!
'You can't beat the draw' is my maxim, from long experience, and partnered by Steve Drowne for the seventh successive time Song Of Norway was berthed widest of eleven in a similar race over course and distance eleven days ago.
That represented a nigh on impossible task, Drowne adopted positivity to offset the disadvantage and approaching the final furlong this Halling filly was bang 'on the premises' and challenging for the lead; in the closing stages her tank emptied and despite what was a herculean effort Song Of Norway finished fourth, beaten less than two lengths by our selection, Gharaaneej, and Nightlight.
On this occasion Song Of Norway is drawn low, in three, and Nightlight will be alongside in four!
For-wise Nightlight will be an obvious fancy but those looking deeper will be aware that Song Of Norway represents an outstanding each-way betting proposition with three places available and lots of 'dead-wood' in opposition.
In fact Song Of Norway is napped to make it eighth time lucky, and give us a clear lead in the Racing Posts Naps Table, which I'm determined to win for the EIGHTH time, having been so unlucky last month. I'll never forget Toormore and the ride by Kieren Fallon!
Chilworth Bells looks gilt-edged for the nine-runner two-year-old Claiming Stakes over a mile, on the back of a 'career-best' effort in a seller over a similar distance on 'soft' at Nottingham nineteen days ago; what beats David Barron's charge will win!
After winning a nursery seller at Thirsk under Graham Gibbons when trained by Mick Channon, a client of Barron bid successfully but now, obviously, they want to 'get rid!'
Whether anyone will be prepared to fork out 'eight grand' for a fully exposed, somewhat limited, juvenile at this stage is unlikely but it doesn't alter the fact Chilworth Bells is another good each-way bet.
Hayley Turner has plenty of experienced on all-weather tracks and her mount, Hell Hath No Fury, is on a 'winning mark' for the 'aged' handicap over two miles; don't oppose.