There’s no shortage
of runners at Bath on Wednesday and the Culloden Handicap (5.15), a
0-70 contest run over 1 mile 3 furlongs and 144 yards, looks the sort
of race in which we should have an interest.
The aptly-named Never
To Be hasn’t won for three seasons, but showed signs of a
revival when dropped into 0-60 company at Ffos Las last month and –
notwithstanding a sole, unsuccessful effort over hurdles at Ludlow
last April – attempts a distance beyond an extended mile for the
first time. Trainer Nikki Evans switches first-time blinkers for the
first-time visor the Thewayyouare gelding wore at Ffos Las and, if
lasting home, he must have a squeak, especially with Callum Shepherd
taking off a useful 5lb.
Being by Medicean out
of a Generous mare, Free Passage was always likely to be
suited by middle distances and, indeed, he did find significant
improvement when stepped up to 1 mile 2 furlongs at Windsor in
August. After two solid placed efforts in this grade, he broke a
blood vessel when stepped down in class and up in distance at Ffos
Las last time and whether or not he really qualifies as an ‘outsider’
depends on how the bookmakers react to a horse that finished last of
eight, beaten 76 lengths, behind Prospectus in a race where the
favourite was a ten-race maiden, albeit with a valid excuse.
Highland Code is
getting any younger and isn’t really in any form, but the same
comments would have applied when he positively hacked up, off today’s
mark, in an amateur riders’ race, over this sort of distance, at
Doncaster early last season, so it’s dangerous to write him off
completely. He makes just his second start after nearly a year off
and, having been relatively lightly raced on the Flat, may still be
capable of a forward showing.
Selections: Bath
5.15 Never To Be, Free Passage, Highland Code
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