Eton Rifles equipped for Catterick test

Sep 20 2008 by Doug Moscrop, The Journal

IF the market was any guide, Eton Rifles was expected to be on target at Hamilton earlier this month. The fact he missed out was down to meeting a better rival on the day rather than questioning his ability.

His conqueror Arganil paid the form a big compliment by bolting up on his first handicap run at Beverley this week, making all the running just as he had when landing his maiden.

Eton Rifles, who cost 125,000 guineas and is from a good family, hadn’t been seen since his belated York debut in June where he beat only one home in a six-runner field.

He missed the break and never got into contention. This gelded son of Pivotal’s subsequent effort showed him in a much better light. He has scope and the step up to seven furlongs for a Catterick maiden today should be right up his street.

Somerset Falls, fourth at Thirsk on her reappearance after one start as a juvenile, may not stand up to much racing and connections are keen to get a win under her belt. However, a bigger threat to Eton Rifles should come from Top Tribute who made most of the running at Ripon first time up before finding the hot-pot Taaresh too strong for him in the last furlong.

Howard Johnson has another unexposed three-year-old in Woody Waller who, despite running as green as grass and failing to handle the home bend on a previous visit to the North Yorkshire track, opened his account at a second attempt.

He now tackles handicap company in the Constant Security September Stakes and merits serious consideration as does decent bumper performer Another Moment who did enough to win a maiden over the course and distance last month and has plenty of scope and size to make his present felt before going jumping.

Luna Landing is without a victory for over a year but has scored here and did well to finish fourth on his latest return after fluffing the start. He is another to consider. Monte Alto attempts a repeat success in the John Smith’s Heritage Handicap at Newbury but may struggle off a 6lb higher mark. His trainer Luca Cumani also saddles Ask The Butler who is in the form of his life and already figures high in the ante-post betting for the Totesport.com Cambridgeshire on the strength of three wins from four starts this year.

His participation in the first leg of the Autumn Double in a fortnight depends on the state of the going. He needs top of the ground and that could make him vulnerable today rather than a 5lb penalty.

The fly in the ointment is likely to be the lightly-raced Rose Street who is still learning the ropes and could be open to any amount of improvement. So a penalty for a Ripon success last month may not halt her progress.