Fahey’s hope is up for a test

Sep 6 2008 The Journal

WHILE good horses may act on any surface, extremes of going is a different matter. Not many really relish testing conditions, for example.

One exception is Utmost Respect. His odds are a bit skinny for today’s Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock, but if you back him at least you know it can’t be too heavy for him which is not the case with the majority of his rivals for this Group One prize.

After an easy success in the Ayr Silver Cup last year, his future was always going to be in Pattern company and he made that transition when landing the Group Three Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle on Plate Day.

However, trainer Richard Fahey is puzzled that his sprinter is favourite, marginally preferred to African Rose, who finished over three lengths ahead of him in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last month when they were second and fourth respectively behind Marchant D’Or.

Fahey offered no excuses that day, though it has to be pointed out that Utmost Respect didn’t enjoy the best of runs after finding himself short of room a furlong and a half out.

But for that, he could have finished closer without, perhaps, finishing in front of African Rose, so there cannot be a lot between them. On that form the French challenger seems to have the edge but much will depend on which horse copes with even softer ground and Utmost Respect gets the verdict.

The progressive Corrybrough has to be a player under these conditions. Ignore his latest run at Deauville where he was slowly away and was left with too much to do over the minimum trip.

Tactics were blamed for his previous defeat at Newbury, where the ground was quicker than he would have liked and he raced prominently.

Under a more patient ride and on a demanding surface, he should be in the shake-up. Reverence is a past winner of this event and, though he may not be the force of old, his latest offering was encouraging and he will love the mud. I can see him making the frame.

Kevin Ryan looks to have the solution to the betfredcasino.com Nursery with either Carnaby Haggerston or Coleorton Choice. The latter is up 8lb for his recent Ripon win and I prefer Carnaby Haggerston who may have been in front too long over the course and distance last time before going down in a triple photo finish.

Swift Princess ran a solid race against the much-improved Bel Cantor at Ripon and her consistent profile makes her a genuine contender for the betfredbingo.com Be Friendly Handicap. However, I like the claims of Chief Editor who hasn’t many miles on the clock and will be more at home in handicap company after being found out last time in a Group Three race at the Curragh.

The deeper the ground the better for Bollin Felix who, despite stiffer opposition, can repeat a recent course and distance success in the betfred.com Old Borough Cup at the expense of Bogside Theatre who deserves to pick up a good staying prize after a string of good placed efforts.

Nice To Know has improved for a change of stable since joining Gary Moore from Ed Dunlop last season and, while she has little margin for error from her current rating, she has twice run well on Kempton’s Polytrack this year and could pop up at rewarding odds in the totescoop6 London Mile Handicap.