Everclear Handicap Grade II
Everclear Handicap
Grade II
Five and one half furlongs
Firm Turf
$250,000
All horses, 4 years old and up
Welcome to sunny Spain for todays feature race the EVERCLEAR HANDICAP which promises to be a cavalry charge over 5.5 furlongs. The going today is firm on the turf course (now there’s a surprise !!) and with some fresh runners I expect a pretty sharp time.
MUADIB (WAR CHANT x THEATRICAL(IRE) x FORTY NINER)
Boasts a real nice pedigree and has run up a really nice sequence (if the dirt try is discounted), winning nicelt in a restricted stakes latest. Likes to sit rigght at the back and come home with a rattle, always a bit risky in sprints but 21/1 looks way overpriced. Place prospects.
AVIE VIGODA (JAVA GOLD x LORD AVIE x BUCKFINDER)
Has a funny recent profile, mixing mid ninety sp’s in allowances with high ninrty sp’s and place/show money in stakes and graded races. Seems to prefer and extra half furlong and might struggle with the finishing speed of some here. Still is ultra consistent and again has top five prospects.
GOLD INFERNO (SEEKING THE GOLD x NUREYEV x GREEN DESERT)
Has some sparkling recent stakes runs but although he has won over 6f, he looks even better over further, so i’m not sure about the drop in trip. Has enough class to reach the money but not sure about the win.
JUNGLELAND (DANZIG x MIESQUE’S SON x BEDFORD)
This is a hard one to weigh up. Has place money at 6f in a Grade I but his other good recent runs have been at around the mile mark. If he can still go fast enough early he’ll win but i suspect this might now be too short. Unlikely winner but a big threat none the less.
WONDERBOY DA VINCI(IRE) (THEATRICAL(IRE) x MONTJEU (IRE) x KINGMAMBO)
One his latest stakes over 6f with a good 101 sp but again another half a furlong less today is a big ask. He’s bred to be a 10-12f horse and will surley struglle early today. Could be finioshing with three wet sails but might find the leaders too far gone. Another big danger but unlikely winner.
VALAMAR (GOLD LEGEND x NORTHERN DANCER x BLUSHING GROOM(FR))
Has been struggling to land a blow in sprints but finished much better with a closing third in his latest. That was over a mile and he looks as though he maybe even a furlong more. Quite why he’s been dropped way down to 5.5f I don’t know. For me he has no chance at this trip.
DEAL THE THRONE (SEEKING THE CROWN x RHODES x PLAIN DEALING)
Mostly been running in allowances at around 6.5f and has been crying out for further in those. Looks as though he could handle stakes rcases but not at todays trip. Another with no chance because of the distance.
DIGITAL OVERTURE (RAHY x DANEHILL x NIGHT SHIFT)
This one looks the winner, has won a Grade III over todays distance with a 108 sp and ran a very good 100 sp in a Grade I latest. Will lead from the front and be over the line before half the field have realised they’re in a race. Will need a “Foinavon” moment to lose (and this is not a 4 mile steeplechase !!).
SOMMARLOV (THUNDER GULCH x UNBRIDLED x TOPSIDER)
Was a decent sprinter but his form has tailed off badly in his last four starts with each run getting progressivley worse. That makes him hard to recommend here and if the trend continues, he’ll be vying for last.
TIGER NATION(IRE) (THEATRICAL(IRE) x SHAHRASTANI x KING GLORIOUS)
Aother co favourite who has also run well in Graded company recently without winning. Has been closing fast over 6f and looks ready for a step up to 7f or even 8f. Still has the class to figure here but looks booked for second or third.
MY LADY OF MALAY (PINE BLUFF x KINGMAMBO x KRIS(GB))
The only lady in todays field and does not look ready for this. Will need further to be at her best and her best recent run was in an allowance. Looks to have plenty of talent but will find them going too fast today.
TETE NOT GALILEO(IRE) (GALILEO (IRE) x SEATTLE SLEW x BUGLE NOTE)
Co favourite based on three consecutive second place finishes in Graded races, and he is clearly a decent sprinter. Would be a definate top three pick but for his latest run. It was a Grade I but was well below par and he didn’t look to be injured. As a five year old with 35 races he may have hit the wall but if not he will finish in the top three.
PASS THE BEROCCA (CAME HOME x BLACK TIE AFFAIR(IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS)
Has looked out of place in recent stakes runs and is basically an allowance horse. Out of his depth and wil struggle.
QUITE RIGHT (RHODES x RAZEEN x NICE DANCER)
Was winning Grade draces the middle of last year and winning well but his last three runs have been to bad to be true. May be another who’s hit the wall being 7 with 45 starts and this level may be beyond him now.
A strange race with some specialist sprinters taking on some promisig animals who look to need 4-5f further. Only one winner for me DIGITAL OVERTURE should win in his sleep (no disrespect to the others).