Headmaster was another horse to finish second this month, after being run down by the winner late at Windsor.
Tom made his decision early to get the lead from a relatively wide stall. In hindsight, he might have used too much petrol, but there was always a chance he wouldn't get a run if he didn't. I don't think it helped that the second horse for the first half of the race applied pressure. He probably went quicker than he wanted to, and that is what set it up for the closer who nabbed him inside the last 50 yards.
Toca Madera threw his chance of winning away at the start. He refused to settle for at least half of the race. Tommie Jakes in the saddle got outclassed in the finish. He looked much weaker compared to the likes of Tom Marquand and Oisin, and he couldn't straighten up Taco Madera, who wanted to wander around. Finished third, but means nothing in the grand scheme of things.
Castle Stuart 5/1 (1pt) – Musselburgh 3.00
There are plenty in this race with a chance of finding themselves in the winner's enclosure, but many have a CV of not winning too often.
I am more than happy playing Castle Stuart, who is still unexposed and might have more up his sleeve off his handicap mark of 86 than the other horses in the race. The older horses are solid and have been running well recently, but they seem to find a couple too good. Silent Age bounced back to form after having a rough season, but he dictated the pace that day, and I can't see that happening again.
Castle Stuart must have always been held in quite high regard. He was pitched into a Listed race on his fourth career start at the end of last season. He was sent off 4/1 for that race, but didn't show the ability he had shown in his previous starts. This season, he has returned with a solid effort at today's venue over a furlong shorter. He was third over the mile in the middle of April, which has seen the form of that race franked a couple of times. The winner has managed to win again and is now rated 12lbs higher in the handicap than when he beat Castle Stuart.
The pedigree of Castle Stuart gives optimism that this mark isn't his ceiling.
Uncle Dick 3/1 (1pt) – Brighton 3.40
Carrying a big weight against many horses who have claimers on board will make this a tough task for Uncle Dick, but it's not a strong race.
A lot of the horses are turning up in good form, three of them winning their recent races. But when you look into the form, a lot of them struggle when going into Class 5 company. I did think Buy The Dip was the one to beat, but he makes hard work of his wins and I thought this race looked a decent opportuntiy for Uncle Dick to bounce back.
Uncle Dick is a course specialist, and has won at this venue seven times. He has been a decent handicapper over the years, but has struggled for form this season. However, he should find this race much easier than the Class 4 and other Class 5 races he has been racing in.
On paper, you have to think he is still too high in the handicapper as he has had a 5lb and 7lb claimer on board and hasn't managed to win. But with Charles Bishop back in the saddle, that can only be a positive sign.
GambleAware