Drive The Bookies Wilde With Ruby At Warwick

Palmabad finished out of the money for us at Leopardstown, but there was plenty of encouragement to be gleaned from his run. Considering he raced wide throughout and was reined back a couple of times by his jockey, he did well to finish 6th. Bar one sticky jump he was slick over his fences, and he travelled really well. He is one for the notebook and I will be backing him on his next couple of runs. Especially if he is dropped a couple of pounds and a good claimer is booked.

Will Kennedy was placed on his only previous ride for McPherson.

For a Saturday, the fare is pretty average and the Challow Hurdle is the highlight. There are a number of interesting contenders in the race, but I have no strong fancy. Ami Debois could make a bold bid dropped back to 20f, but I actually fancy another of Graeme McPherson's earlier on in the afternoon at Warwick.Will Kennedy takes over from Kielan Woods on Ruby Wilde, and this 5yo daughter of Oscar could well be suited by the step up to 21f  in the mare's hurdle at 12.30, if her last two runs are anything to go by.

She is beautifully bred, out of a Definite Article mare, and her brother Pause And Ponder is a point/2m3f chase/2m6f hurdle winner. Her dam is a half-sister to Grade 3 20f hurdle winner Get It Done, who herself is out of a half-sister to Grand National winner Royal Athlete. She has hit the frame only once from 5 starts, a short head 2nd on her third outing in a bumper at Hexham (16f gd). She was put away after that run last May, and she reappeared in October in a 19.5f (gd/sft) maiden hurdle at Chepstow.

She was outpaced as they approached the second last at Chepstow, and she had a lot more horses in front of her than behind her. However, she stayed on very well in the closing stages for 6th, beaten 16L for the win but only a neck behind the 5th. The winner of that race, Elegant Escape, is just 15/2 for the Challow. It was a creditable effort on her first run back from a break and, given how she stayed on, it was a surprise to see her dropped back to 18.5f next time at Exeter (gd/sft).

She had a good position early, but her jockey soon reined her back into the rear of mid division. She jumped really well, but was given too much to do, and again she stayed on as though a step up in trip would suit. She gets that tomorrow at Warwick, and I think 21f on soft will be right up her street. She has a lot to find with the top two, but the fav has shown her best form on a sound surface.

Will Kennedy has had just the one ride for McPherson, and it resulted in a place on a 12/1 shot in a mare’s novice hurdle that was backed in from 16s. Now, it could be the case that Ruby Wilde is just out for another spin to get a mark, and for that reason stakes should be kept to a minimum. However, odds of 16/1 in a race that lacks strength in depth are too tempting to refuse, and if she puts her best foot forward she could hit the frame.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 12.30 WARWICK: RUBY WILDE E/W 16/1