It's fair to say that Alto Alto didn't redeem himself, with another shocking run at Plumpton.
It's got to be something to do with the yard form that is affecting the performance of Alto Alto. He ran well two runs prior, so I don't understand how the last two runs have been nothing short of crap.
He was held up, and widest of all. After half of the race, he was off the bridle, and at that point, I turned the race off as there was no chance he'd come back from it. Pure frustration.
Rath Gaul Hill 3/1 (1pt) – Wetherby 2.37
This is a strange race, as I think there are questions to be answered by every single horse in the race.
Some horses look to be high in the handicap (Gerryville, Empty Nest, William Cody), others are getting old (Arthur's Quay), some are out of form (Clonakilty), and the trip might not suit (Rath Gaul Hill). The only horse I've not mentioned is No But I Will, who is a strange one, as he won a Hunter's Chase last time out, but it was a very poor race, full of rubbish jockeys. He's got up for that win, so he can't be trusted.
In the end, I decided to give Rath Gaul Hill a chance at this trip. If he stays, he's got to be in with a solid chance, as his handicap mark has dropped down a lot. He has done the majority of his runs over two miles, and he stays on strongly in his wins, so I think the extra distance shouldn't hinder his chances.
Sean Bowen is booked. He didn't have a good Cheltenham Festival, but I still think he's top-notch. It's a rare ride for the yard, and definitely catches the eye.
The ground is probably starting to turn on the quick side of things for Rath Gaul Hill. He has previously won on good to soft, and with the stamina being an unknown, this ground should give him a much better chance of seeing the race out.
GambleAware