Relentless Dreamer seeking a hat-trick at Stratford
AFTER a bumper crowd for last Sunday’s sun-blessed Family Day, Stratford will be hoping for more of the same this weekend when the course stages it annual Ladies Day in association with Ardencote Spa and 102 Touch FM, writes David Hucker.
Racegoers are certainly getting their money’s worth this month, as Sunday sees another eight-race card, kicking off at 2.15pm, and there’s a free glass of Pimms for the first 200 ladies arriving into the Club and Tattersalls Enclosures.
Highlight of the afternoon is the 102 Touch FM Handicap Chase (Class 3) over two and three-quarter miles in which Relentless Dreamer will be seeking a hat-trick. Although he has gone up in the weights as a result of his wins, Relentless Dreamer was very impressive at Newton Abbot, jumping quickly and cleanly for Jonathan Moore, and could prove too good for his ten rivals.
Another on a hat-trick is Deciding Moment, but he will have a change of jockey this time, as Daryl Jacob will be on top-weight Ballykan for his retaining owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. His last two wins have come over hurdles, but Deciding Moment has won over fences at the course from a handicap mark of 122 and is only 2lb higher this time.
Kudu Country is the only runner with recent winning form in the opening Amber Security Selling Hurdle, but Garnock could prove more than a match if reproducing the form of her latest run at Aintree when fourth to Silver Shuffle off a rating of 115.
Huntingdon winner No Win No Fee and Aintree scorer Tahira look to have the best form credentials in the Shakespeare Media Novices´ Hurdle, but it may pay to take a chance with the well-bred Holy Cross, who disappointed when favourite on his debut at the course 15 months ago.
He has also failed to shine in three races since, but his trainer Rebecca Curtis did not have the best of seasons in 2015-16 and her horses are in better form now. Top Irish jockey Paul Townend is back in the saddle and an improved performance can be expected.
There is a competitive field for the Judith Cooke Memorial Handicap Hurdle, including Newton Abbot winner Banny’s Lad, who will appreciate the trip, and the mare Time Is Money, trained by Emma Lavelle.
Twice a winner last season, Edlomond makes most appeal in the Touch Totally 80’s Night Novices´ Handicap Chase, although Ladies Dancing, runner up to Maizy Missile at Newton Abbot, could be a topical tip for the afternoon.
Bottom weight Aaman could take the first division of the Ardencote Spa Novices´ Handicap Hurdle for trainer Bernard Llewellyn and jockey Jordan Williams and the same combination could also strike with last Sunday’s winner Ginjo in the second.
The key to the closing Cotswold Mares´ Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race could lie in the race won by Libby T Vallance at Worcester last month when, in a tight finish, Raveloe went down by just a head to the winner, with Oscar Rose the same distance back in third and En Joule further back in fourth.
Although Raveloe was the more fancied of the beaten trio that day, going off the 6-4 favourite, it could be close between them all again this time, with Irish point-to-point winner Vulgans Watch also in the mix.
