7f Could Suit Meehan’s Filly At Brighton

Havre de Paix was unfortunately a non runner at the weekend with David Menuisier deeming the ground to be unsuitably quick. She is entered in the Bunbury Cup and the consolation race this weekend and if there is a bit of juice in the ground she remains of interest. Another trainer that has his string in superb form at the moment is Brian Meehan, and I can’t let his only runner of the day go unbacked at a huge price in the 17.45 at Brighton on Tuesday.

Brian Meehan's horses are flying.

Go Bananas was last sighted finishing well down the field in the 6f Group 2 Queen Mary at Ascot, beating just one horse home and beaten just over 15L. She had previously run a poor race on the all weather at Lingfield when slowly away over 6f, but her debut at Bath over 5.5f wasn’t totally devoid of promise when she stayed on late for 4th after a very slow start. She shaped as if further would suit that day, and she steps up to 7f today.

This daughter of Bahamian Bounty has a very nice pedigree and she is bred to stay at least 7f. She is the first foal of a half sister to a 7f, 10f and 12f winner who had placed form in Group company and she had another half brother that was a 103 rated 7f and 8f winner. The signals from her pedigree suggest that 7f should suit, and so does that debut effort.

Her trainer Brian Meehan couldn’t be in much better form at the moment and of his last 13 runners 4 have won and 5 have placed. He may have only had 2 winners at Brighton in the past 5 seasons from 17 runners but that doesn’t tell the whole story.  Of those 17 runners, another 11 have finished in the top 4 so that makes for a frame hitting strike rate of over 75%.

It is interesting that Meehan hasn’t decided to go down the handicap route with Go Bananas as she has been handed an opening mark of 62. He must believe that she has the ability to win a novice or a maiden, and he has found a weak looking contest for her. There isn’t much form to shout about in the race, and with Jordan Uys claiming 7lb she gets 12lb from her male rivals and 7lb from the other fillies in the race. I think Go Bananas could go well from a favourable draw in stall 6 once she gets away on terms and at odds of 28/1 she is worth chancing for small stakes e/w.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 17.45-GO BANANAS E/W @ 28/1