Vincentti To Relish Return To Easy Ground At Salisbury

The holidays are over and we are back in action with a tasty 12/1 shot at Salisbury this afternoon. I am feeling refreshed and reinvigorated after a week away in Galway, and despite the rain it was a really enjoyable trip. A few days camping in Connemara meant I didn't even have a bet during the week, though a trip to the Galway races on Saturday more than made up for the lack of gambling action. Unfortunately it was an unmitigated disaster from a punting perspective but, apart from the betting, it was a really enjoyable day out.

Glassilaun Beach Connemara.

Instead of following the throngs into Galway City after the racing, I decided to take a less trodden path. Tuam is where I ended up, and I discovered an absolute gem of a pub that has remained unchanged for over a century. McDonagh's Bar is based on Shop Street in the town, and if you want to experience an authentic, old style Irish bar then this is the place to go. The pints were flowing freely and, even though I don't drink it myself, I was reliably informed that the Guinness is of the highest quality.

The locals and staff couldn't have been more welcoming, and there was no shortage of information (both good and bad!) for the following day's racing floating around. The music was top class and the craic was absolutely mighty. If you are planning a visit to the Galway Races next year and you are looking for an alternative experience to the usual madness in Galway City, take a chance and pay a visit to McDonagh's bar in Tuam instead. You won't be disappointed.

Anyway, enough about my holiday experience and back to the serious business of racing! Today's selection goes at Salisbury in the 15.00 and his trainer Ron Harris will be delighted with all the rain that has fallen. The ground is now described as soft and that will be right up Vincentti's street. This 6yo son of Invincible Sprit has been hard to win with down through the years, and he has only got his head in front three times from 45 starts.

He has had just four runs this season, and only once has he had his preferred easy ground. That was at Bath on his penultimate run (5.5f soft) and he finished runner up to Showmethewayavrilo (beaten 1L) off a mark of 71. He is 3lb better off with that rival today so he is weighted to turn the form around. He followed that up with a moderate effort at Chepstow (6f gd/fm) off a pound higher, but the quick ground was a valid excuse for his poor run on that occasion.

He has been dropped back down to 71 for today's race and that is 1lb below his last winning mark (6f gd/sft Brighton). His form figures for his last 5 runs when there has been soft in the ground description read 13042, and the 3rd came at Goodwood on soft off a mark of 78 (beaten under 2L). He likes to finish fast and late so he needs a strong pace to be seen at his best. There are plenty left in the field that like to get on with things out in front, so Vincentti should get the race run to suit. I think he looks well overpriced at 12/1, and he is the each way suggestion in a handicap that looks there for the taking.

STEVOS' SELECTION: 3.00 SALISBURY: VINCENTTI E/W 12/1