Baby Strange back on track

May 17 2008 The Journal

THERE has been more than a hint recently that Baby Strange is rediscovering the sort of form that saw him win three times as a juvenile, including in Listed company.

He also ended his first season with a creditable second in a Group Two event in France and that was the last we saw of him until he reappeared on the all-weather at Lingfield in February after missing a whole year.

Baby Strange has also changed stables, moving from Paul Blockley to Derek Shaw, and he didn’t offer any encouragement on his three starts on the Polytrack.

Obviously, he has taken time to get over whatever problems he had, but the signs were more promising on his return to turf.

While in the wilderness, he tumbled down the ratings and nearly took advantage of his current mark at Doncaster last month when failing by a neck to catch Cape after experiencing traffic problems.

Dropping back to the minimum trip for his next race at Nottingham didn’t suit him, but he confirmed he was on his way back last time at Newmarket where he came from off the pace to finish a close fourth in a competitive handicap won by Off The Record.

If that progress is maintained, he ought to be a major player for the totetentofollow.co.uk Handicap at Newbury today despite the presence of Royal Rock who scored with plenty up his sleeve on his Yarmouth reappearance.

A progressive sprinter last year until well beaten on his final start, when it transpired he was carrying a virus, Royal Rock has a 4lb higher mark to contend with, but there will be plenty who reckon he can defy it.

Jimmy Styles overcame a seven-month break to scramble home at Ascot last week and is capable of better. Holbeck Ghyll failed to win last year but is on a hat-trick following a dual success on Kempton’s Polytrack.

James Fanshawe has had a quiet spell and his last winner was Cesare in the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot 17 days ago and is hoping the same horse will gain that elusive first Group One victory in the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes.

Also of interest from the Fanshawe camp is Falconry in the Catridge Farm Stud & Manor Farm Packers Fillies’ Handicap.

Too green to do herself justice on her Nottingham debut last year, she made no mistake 15 days later at Doncaster, but then bit off more than she could chew when outclassed in the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes. Held in some regard, she could still be up to pattern status this year. In the meantime, she can give us a few clues as to her future by beating the more experienced May Day Queen.

There was enough evidence produced by Inspector Clouseau last season to suggest he can pay his way as a three-year-old and have even more answers than his rivals as he kicks off his campaign in the Runswick Bay Handicap at Thirsk. He was always in control on his third and final start as a juvenile at the same venue and the extra furlong shouldn’t pose any problems. I am hoping he has more improvement in him than the Windsor winner Summon Up Theblood.

While I admire Alan Swinbank as a trainer and his stable couldn’t be in better form, I have to admit I rarely get his horses right on the day. Hopefully, this will not apply to Deserted Dane who represents the Melsonby yard in the Filey Handicap. Although he did win at Carlisle in June, he was rather disappointing last season and he had plenty to prove when reappearing at Thirsk two weeks ago. He didn’t win but came out best of the quintet racing on the far side and finished third overall.

The outing, his first for 228 days, should not be lost on him and he is weighted to win, a pound lower than his last success.