Open racing makes a welcome return to Perry Barr (RPGTV) tonight and features six non-graded events. Who better to cast his eye over the fields than the track’s highly respected racing manager, Martin Seal. Here are his views:
“Doolin King has won two A1’s around Perry Barr and ran Geelo Josh to a couple of lengths at Nottingham recently, but he can move off the rail on occasions, and could be under pressure around the first two turns with some speedy types drawn in the middle. All About Brae is relatively inexperienced, but 27.50 at Henlow is not to be sniffed at. Frankies Jet has shown nice early pace to go close in his last three contests, and has the benefit of a look round last week. With the possibility of crowding on the inside, I’ll plump for Gary Ferguson’s charge, with Doolin King to follow him home.”
“Just the one seeded runner in div 2 of the stayers, and a prominent early position looks vital. Fight The Power won a couple of 575m opens at Romford towards the end of last year, and will attempt to go wire to wire. Paul Foster brought Distant Sailor for a look round last week, and he has won in top grade over six bends at Swindon. Bower Turbo would prefer a draw further out for sure, but is both strong and big enough to look after himself. Student Prince will need an absolute flyer from trap 5 to have any chance of clearing the field. Tricky race in truth, but Fight The Power could last home with Bower Turbo staying on for second.”
“Nah Then Bella has been a smashing bitch for Kirsty Grayson, and looked well in herself with a nice trial last week. Holdem Lauren hasn’t seen much racing recently for one reason or another, but has a bit of class about her, and there was nothing wrong with her latest trial efforts at Sheffield and Monmore. Pantone Whisper lacks a look round and could be squeezed on the run up by Fancy Trend, who will likely be moving in from five. Nah Then Bella is given the nod to outstay Holdem Lauren here.”
“Great to see a dog of Shrewd Call’s class at Perry Barr, and the excellent Dave Mullins has brought him back steadily following a minor injury at the end of last year. He faces some speedy types though, with Dream On Lass in the form of her life, and Meenagh Marvel and Sams Elle having accounted for decent opposition at Newcastle and Sheffield respectively in the past few weeks. Add in Geelo Brezza on the outside, and you have a pretty good race. Despite this being his first visit to Perry Barr, Shrewd Call can resume winning ways with Geelo Brezza running yet another good race in second.”
“Quite a good little contest in which none of the sextet can be confidently discounted. Greenhill Jack was impressive over this trip on St Leger final night, and could be hard to reel in if getting away smartly. Affirmed generally competes over further these days, but is a classy type and dipped under the 40.00sec barrier in a trial last Autumn. Magical Icarus has had his issues and is probably in the twilight of his career, but if he’s in touch at halfway then it’ll be game on. Free To Be has come into his own since stepping up in trip, and is closely matched with Ballyhoe Breeze on Romford form. Hather Duke will need to keep tabs on the leaders in the first half of the contest. I’ll take Affirmed to chin Greenhill Jack right on the line.”
“Winetavern Curly showed his liking for both Perry Barr and trap six with a couple of smart runs here at the end of last year, and a decent break would make him hard to beat. Jet Stream Socks won five opens here back in 2019, and clearly loves the place. Hather Regal could be under early pressure with Moyar Valley possibly moving off a fraction, whilst Geelo Josh is something of an unknown from trap 1. If Piemans Tom can nip round the first bend in front, who knows? A good race to finish our first open race Thursday of the year, and Winetavern Curly can make the journey home to Falkirk a little less arduous, with Moyar Valley hanging on for second.”
