Racing Ahead – August 2019

ISSUE 178 RACING AHEAD 47

RACING NOTEBOOK

Picksfromthepaddock.co.uk with horses to follow

This flight

can surely

take off

SCENESETTER (3yo)
Trainer:Marco Botti
Last Run:Windsor (1st July)
Still a maiden after four career starts
however he showed a lot more on his
handicap debut at Windsor last time
out.
He lead for most of the way and
wasn’t far behind when slowing in the
final few hundred yards.
Perhaps a drop in trip may be the
answer but to lose to a two time
winner and race favourite in Cherry
Cola is certainly not something to be
disappointed in.
If he continues handicapping a vic-
tory is certain to be just around the
corner.
Preferred Distance: 1m1f+
Preferred Ground:Good or Firmer

ROYAL AIDE (3yo)
Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
Last Run: Fairyhouse (14th July)
Making his third start and putting in by
far is best effort when finishing third in
his most recent run.
I’d hazard a guess that we’ll next see
him lineup in handicap company and
although he’s yet to win that looks the
most likely time for punters to pounce.
If the handicapper is generous in
terms of his rating and weight he’ll find
his way into the winners enclosure
sooner rather than later.
Preferred Distance:7f - 1m2f
Preferred Ground:Any

HITMAN (6yo)

Trainer: Rebecca Bastiman

Last Run: Thirsk (3rd July)

Very disappointing when last out but

don’t let that put you off entirely.

The horse hails from a yard who love

to bag well handicapped winners and

this six year old now sits on a very

attractive handicap mark.

When the six year old will strike is

hard to tell but despite his recent poor

run of form I’m convinced he’ll win

when we least expect it.

Preferred Distance:6f-7f

Preferred Ground: Any

AUTUMN FLIGHT (3yo)

Trainer:Tim Easterby

Last Run: Haydock (13th July)

Went off as a 10/1 shot when last seen

at Haydock but managed to bag

fourth place. That was in a Class 4 con-

test and if he were to drop back down

to Class 5 level he’d be sure to go

close. At the age of three he’s still got

plenty of room to grow and improve

and if connections find the right race

for him he’s a certain winner.

I’m unsure if five furlongs may be his

best trip but he’s still capable over the

extra furlong. It would be a tell tale

sign that a big run was expected if he

were to drop down to the minimum

distance so take heed.

Preferred Distance: 5f - 6f

Preferred Ground: Any

HEY PRETTY (4yo)

Trainer: John C McConnell

Last Run: Fairyhouse (14th July)

Was quietly fancied in her most recent

run but in all honesty the jockey left it

too late. She came home with a rattle

and if it weren’t for minor traffic prob-

lems and leaving it too late I’m

convinced she’d have at least finished

inside of the first three.

If the handicapper isn’t harsh with

her for that run and her mark remains

the same (if not dropping) then she’ll

have a very good chance of finishing

much closer.

I’m not one for blaming jockeys,

after all I’ve only sat on a horse once

but Gary Carroll will have been kicking

himself after the race and certainly

won’t want to let connections down a

second time.

Preferred Trip:7f-1m1f

Preferred Ground: Good or Firmer

Autumn

Flight

RA