5:30 – Wolverhampton – £32 BONUS AT 32RED.COM HANDICAP (CLASS 6) (3yo 0-65) Standard 1m141y
Dana’s Present won over 1 mile on his last start at Kempton 6 days ago and therefore carries a 6lb penalty as he bids to follow up this evening. However, the manner of his victory last week when he barely came off the bridle strongly suggests that there is more to come from the 3 year old chestnut gelding.
Dana’s Present has been in excellent form over the last two months and in his five runs since 9 August he has won twice and been placed on his other three runs. His last four runs have all been on the polytrack surface and his form figures read 1313. His is actually rather unfortunate not to have run up a hat-trick of wins on his last three outings as, two starts back he was still full of running when he had to switch at a vital time a furlong from home which checked his momentum, but once he got into the open he ran on well only being ½ length down on the winner at the line.
His last run was very impressive. Normal hold up tactics were employed before he was taken wide with 2 furlongs to run and made smooth progress to lead with his jockey, Richard Hughes motionless and was merely nudged along to win easily by 1 ¼ lengths, looking like a horse to firmly keep onside.
He runs over 1 mile and 141 yards today and on his only run over the trip – which is his only run at Wolverhampton to date – he finished 3rd on his unlucky run two starts back. The distance looks ideal for him as he has already won twice from 5 runs over 1 mile.
He is ridden by Jamie Spencer for this race and Jamie is an ideal partner for Dana’s Present as he is one of the best riders in the country riding a horse from off the pace. He also has a very good record at Wolverhampton with a 22% winning strike rate at the track in the past 5 seasons, riding 76 winners from 348 rides. He has ridden 5 times for trainer George Baker in 2012 winning twice.
Dana’s Present is fortunate to get into a Class 6 race this evening as his handicap mark of 66, with his 6lb penalty is the maximum mark for a Class 6 race. He is due to go up by a further 6lbs next week so his connections have sensibly turned him out again to take advantage of his lower mark. A 6lb penalty looks unlikely to stop him on the evidence of his last run and with Jamie Spencer’s presence a definite bonus he should be hard to beat again this evening.
