16:55 Redcar

Monday 2 April 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2516:5517:30

Robyn Durdan Designed Today's Racecard Cover Handicap

3YO only | Class 6 | 7f 219y | 9 Runners | Turf

(7)

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez⁽³⁾| T: M Dods| OR: 65

Has looked a touch one paced and still not convinced what his ideal trip will be. Riders 3lb claim helps and has a solid shout on the back of a six month break.

Form: 473794-

(8)

Elysee Star²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: B Haslam| OR: 63

Went very close on return at Newcastle (7f, AW) just getting caught close home. Flatter track here may help but slight question mark over the extra furlong today.

Form: 23340-2

(2)

Poetic Affair¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 62

Three efforts in maidens and novice events so far and has been green on all starts. Moves to handicap company off a fair mark and there would be no surprise if they make plenty of use of him and he is a different proposition now.

Form: 6-43

(6)

French Resistance¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 62

Hard to enthuse over what we have seen so far. You can put a line through latest run at Pontefract (1m, soft) when drawn wide and missed the break. Needs the change of yard to have a positive effect.

Form: 66380-

(3)

Elixsoft⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 61

Improved over the winter winning twice off lower marks. Seemed to be no problem with the trip when just getting caught close home at Newcastle (1m, AW) last time. Nudged up another 1lb but should go close if as effective back on turf.

Form: 90-1132

(5)

Mabo^b²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 61

Won well at Newcastle (7f, AW) just over three weeks ago. Up 4lbs for that effort but both run style and pedigree offer hope there could be plenty more to come over today's trip.

Form: 7730-61

(4)

Sir Derrick²⁰²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rachel Richardson⁽³⁾| T: T D Easterby| OR: 60

Debut last year had some promise. Went backwards on two later starts and now moves into a handicap off a low mark. Needs to show a jolt of improvement but yard more than capable of getting just that from this type.

Form: 606-

(1)

Foxy Lady²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S A Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 60

Gone close a couple of times this year on the AW including when behind Mabo latest. Has a 5lb pull with that rival today and yard has kicked off well on the turf so can't rule out.

Form: 264-533

(9)

Ventura Crest¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 59

Best effort to date came over C&D in September when just touched off. Best to put a line through final run of the year at Pontefract but return to this venue may help.

Form: 468029-

Forecasts

Elixsoft (4/1), Mabo (9/2), Poetic Affair (5/1), Admiral Rooke (6/1), Elysee Star (6/1), Foxy Lady (13/2), Ventura Crest (10/1), Sir Derrick (14/1), French Resistance (16/1)

Not the strongest of contests this and it looks a good opportunity for MABO to continue his progress and win again. The step up in trip to a mile looks a good move and he looks a solid option. Poetic Affair could be a different proposition now moving into handicaps and it will be no surprise to see plenty of use made of him from the gate. If there is a lurker in here it could well be Sir Derrick and any market move could be significant.