Royal Pearl has an obvious chance in the seven-runner 2-y-o Claiming Stakes over an extended mile of Wolverhampton Tapeta today and, significantly, trainer Jonathan Portman has booked Graham ‘The Enforcer’ Gibbons!
Significant because ‘GG’ is definitely ‘as good as it gets’ and rides regularly at Dunstall Park; he was apprenticed to one-time local trainer, the late Reg Hollinshead, and doubtless knows the idiosyncrasies of this left-handed circuit like the back of his hand.
Strange that particular saying because few people probably don’t study the back of their hands, eh?
Anyway consistent Royal Pearl comes out clear ‘best-in’ on my time-handicap and could well be claimed for £9000; a fillies’ allowance of 5lbs over such a long distance for juveniles will probably weigh heavily against moderate rivals.
Claiming races aren’t my favourites but at this stage trainers and owners often need to ‘get rid’ to facilitate yearlings they’ve purchased recently; ‘keep’ costs are enormous at an average of £60 a day!
Realistically given the current climate ‘nine grand’ would represent value, if she wins.
Earlier Nietzche is a sporting selection for the opening ten-runner nursery handicap and another interesting jockey-booking is Dougie Costello, formerly licensed under National Hunt rules.
Costello has obviously been watching the careers of former NH colleagues Graham Lee and Timmy Murphy; with weights raised considerably in the last few years it makes sense to give it a go on the flat.
A measure of recent success can be guaged by this engagement, trainer William Haggas places great stock on jockeyship; he’s certainly been spot on with Pat Cosgrave this year.
Nietzche is no ‘cert’ but can be forgiven one recent lapse and justifies an each-way bet with three places available.
Haqggas also fields Moon Eyes in the nine-runner 3-y-o Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs; this one will have to fall over not to be placed but keep an eye out for twice Abonos, a fast-finishing second at Southwell recently.