I thought Ceatharlach ran a very nice race for us at
Downpatrick earlier, but unfortunately not nicely enough to reward each way
support. He was held up in rear travelling well and as Paddy Kennedy began to
make his move I thought he was going to have a big say at the finish. However,
his effort petered out in the last couple of furlongs and he could only manage 5th.
I still believe this horse has more than enough ability to win races and it
will be interesting to see what mark the handicapper gives him.
 |
| Ben Poste gets on well with Minellacelebration. |
Quiet Company was also fairly well beaten at Dundalk and my
fears regarding the step up in trip proved to be well founded. He travelled
well for a long way and when Smullen switched him wide I thought a withering
run down the outside was imminent. He found very little though and Smullen wasn’t
hard on him once his chance had gone. I think this horse still has a bit more
improvement in him at the correct trip (his dam was best as a 4yo/5yo) and
hopefully somebody I know buys him at the sales as I would love to retain a
stake in him!
Today I like the look of one in the 23.5f class 2
handicap chase at Chepstow at 16.45 and I think Minellacelebration is massively
overpriced. This 7yo son of King’s Theatre was a highly progressive animal last
season, starting out off a mark of 123 and finishing on a rating of 138. Of his
three wins last term one came over this course and distance and he made a very
pleasing return to action at Warwick last month. He was nailed on for a place
at the very least before being brought down two out and he races off the same
mark again here.
Ben Poste gets on really well with this gelding and he has
finished in the first three on 8 of his 12 rides on him. He was brought down
last time and fell on another occasion so when he has finished he has been in
the money in 8/10 races with Poste in the plate. Minellacelebration won second
time up last season which can be viewed as another big positive and the step
back up into class 2 company holds no fears as his form figures at this level
read 12, including a fine 2nd at Aintree last May off today's mark of 138.
His trainer Katy Price (no not that one!) is far from a
household name and I believe if this horse was trained by a bigger name like
Tizzard or Nicholls he would be a fraction of his current price. Good to soft
ground is fine (he has won on ground ranging from heavy to good to firm) and he
is proven at this track and over this trip. He races off a nice low weight, his
jockey knows him inside out and his trainer had a winner earlier this month. At
odds of 20/1 I think Minellacelebration is well worth an each way interest in a
wide open looking race.
STEVOS’ SELECTION:
16.45 CHEPSTOW-MINELLACELEBRATION E/W @ 20/1
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