Friday 31 March 2023 10:15, UK
Just seven days on from coming agonisingly close to winning one of the richest races in the world with Algiers, Simon and Ed Crisford can land the first major handicap of the Flat season with Awaal in the Pertemps Network Lincoln.
The Doncaster feature has a rich history and this year has benefited from a substantial prize money boost with almost £80,000 to the winner, but that pales in comparison to the £5.8m Algiers would have won had he held on in the Dubai World Cup. Nevertheless, he still picked up a cool £2m and the Crisfords proved yet again that when they aim a horse at a big race, they are never too far away.
Awaal is one of the least-experienced runners on Town Moor but when he was last seen at Redcar in October, he looked a very smart prospect indeed. Prior to that he had been beaten less than a length by James Horton's Phantom Flight at level weights, with the winner is now rated 108.
Awaal proved he can go well fresh as he had five months off before heading to Redcar, but he was in a different league to some solid handicappers. Raised 9lb for that, he will still need a little bit up his sleeve as he is nearly carrying top weight but the chances are this will be his last handicap for a while if he runs well.
He has drawn stall 17 which also seems a positive given five of the last eight winners have left from higher than 15, he has won on heavy ground already and five of the last six victors have been from his age bracket.
The Crisfords also appear to hold strong claims in the Listed Pertemps Network Doncaster Mile with Poker Face. Unbeaten in three outings, he is a bit of an unknown quantity and if the top-rated Tempus fails to run up to his lofty mark of 114, Poker Face looks the one to take advantage.
He was last seen winning by over eight lengths and while that might not have been much of a race at Pontefract, the winning margin could easily have been doubled. He is dropping back down to a mile from 10 furlongs, but the testing ground will ensure his stamina comes into play.
Michael Bell's Baltimore Boy must have a chance in the Pertemps Network Spring Mile. He races off the same mark of 90 as when an unlucky second to Raising Sand at Ascot in September. Slowly away that day, he did well to get so close and as he was unraced at two, there should be even more to come this season.
Ehraz is given one more chance to confirm the promise he showed as a juvenile when he runs in the Pertemps Network Cammidge Trophy. Richard Hannon strongly fancied him in the Acomb but he ran no sort of race and was not seen again at two. Last season he was running respectably, without winning, in top three-year-old sprints before being given a midsummer break.
He ended with a victory down in class when long odds-on but with that confidence boost, we may now get to see the best of him.
Phantom Flight, who accounted for Awaal at Haydock, turned into a real flag-bearer for Horton and can resume his progress in the Unibet More Extra Place Races Magnolia Stakes at Kempton. A fine third in a very competitive handicap at Newmarket after beating Awaal, he then absolutely bolted up in another good race at York.
Sent off odds-on for his final outing in a Listed race at Ayr, he ran too bad to be true but one thing that has been notable since Horton started training is how well he places his horses and he has handed this one an entry in the Tattersalls Gold Cup in Ireland. He only has 3lb to find with Charlie Appleby's Secret State, who saw his progress stall in the second half of the season.
John and Thady Gosden's Burglar created quite the impression when winning on debut and should be able to defy a penalty in the Unibet Horserace Betting-Operator Of The Year EBF Novice Stakes.
James Tate's Iconic Moment is taken to remain unbeaten in the valuable Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes at Chelmsford. The race forms part of the Road To The Kentucky Derby and while taking on the Americans on dirt is a completely different kettle of fish, the £50,000 first prize is not to be sniffed at.
Iconic Moment just got the better of stablemate New Definition over seven furlongs last time out but upped to a mile, he can confirm his superiority as he was doing all his best work late on.
SELECTIONS:
BELLEWSTOWN: 1.20 Etna Rosso, 1.55 The Snapper, 2.30 My Little Tip, 3.05 Polar Bear, 3.40 Inishmot Prince, 4.15 Bolero, 4.50 Douglas Dc
CHELMSFORD: 5.30 Okeanos, 6.00 Scarborough Castle, 6.30 One For The Frog, 7.00 Iconic Moment, 7.30 Em Jay Kay, 8.00 Talamanca, 8.30 Testing Faith.
DONCASTER: 1.50 Valadero, 2.25 Baltimore Boy, 3.00 Ehraz, 3.35 Awaal, 4.10 POKER FACE (NAP), 4.45 Ribal, 5.20 Mrs Meader, 5.50 Simulation Theory.
KEMPTON: 1.30 Burglar, 2.05 Phantom Flight, 2.40 Stately Home, 3.15 Duty Of Care, 3.50 Trilby, 4.25 Girl Magic, 5.00 Chantico.
STRATFORD: 2.17 Beau Balko, 2.52 Feel The Pinch, 3.27 Weebill, 4.02 Propelled, 4.37 Dom Of Mary, 5.12 Banteer.
UTTOXETER: 2.10 Atlantic Dancer, 2.45 Mr Vango, 3.20 Marsh Wren, 3.55 Lord Of Kerak, 4.30 Last Quarter, 5.05 On We Go, 5.35 Cherie D'Am.
DOUBLE: Poker Face and Iconic Moment.
