Both of Monday's runners at Perth was not the greatest.
Frisby put in a couple of novice jumps on his debut over fences. He looked good for the most part, but lacked gears in the finishing part of his race. Sean Bowen, who jumped ship off last time out winner, was victorious on Gordon Elliot's horse at good odds.
Scriabin was backed in slightly, but also put in a ropey round of jumping. He made a very bad error before they turned for home. Even though he had plenty of time to compose himself, it definitely took a lot out of him, as when the going got tough, he found very little.
Leloopa 5/1 (1pt) – Newton Abbot 3.58
This is a Class 3 (0-140), but in name only. The top weight in this is rated 128, so it's effectively a 0-128. West To The Bridge would be of interest if this were a couple of years ago. At the age of twelve, he is surely vulnerable to younger horses, especially at this trip. I thought this race was between Leloopa and the in-form Hope Rising, but Fergal O'Brien's horse stood out a bit more with more solid form from last season.
There's no denying that Hope Rising should be the market favourite based on his hot run of first and second-place finishes this season, but the level he has been doing it at isn't the strongest. Jamie Snowden's horse is clearly progressing, and there might be more to come, as he is only a four-year-old. However, at the prices, I thought he was worth taking on, and Fergal's horse is definitely overpriced.
Leloopa caused a shock at Kempton towards the back end of last season. She popped up in a Class 2 Mares' race and won by 8L at odds of 22/1. She showed that she handles good to soft ground, so today's ground at Newton Abbot should be fine for her, with not much more rain expected to fall.
Last time out on her seasonal reappearance, she wasn't great, but she has never looked at her best on her first run back from a break. I think with that run under her belt, we can expect a return to form, as she won on her second run after a break in March, as well as finishing second at this track on her second run last year. The form of the runner-up finish to Kitty Foyle looks very solid. That horse has since run well in competitive Mares' races, including a third in a Listed event, just 4L behind the smart Jubilee Alpha.
Universal Story 6/1 (1pt) – Catterick 2.10
Class 6 races aren't my bag, especially amateur jockey races, but Jamie Nield has been in great form in these races when riding for Jennie Candlish is recent weeks. Jamie has transitioned to these races from the jumps scene and has made a big impact, so I thought Jennie's new recruit was worth chancing.
Universal Story is making his stable debut for Jennie after leaving James Horton's yard. He hasn't got a tough handicap mark if Jennie can find the improvement on his first start. He is rated 62, which is not a lot for a horse that has a nice pedigree. He is by Sea The Stars and out of a Mare who was a half-sibling to multiple Class 1 horses who stayed 12f. The step up to 14f is a total unknown, but Sea The Stars has produced some good stayers in his time as a sire, so there's every chance that this will suit him.
The turf is also an unknown with just two runs on the grass to fate with some fairly lacklustre performances, but if he is a stayer, then running over the shorter trips might be the reason he has been underperforming.
Jamie is 2/3 when riding for this yard on the flat in similar races.
GambleAware