Ishetoo is on the fast track

Oct 11 2008 by Doug Moscrop, The Journal

IT will be fast and furious for the National Express York Sprint Cup at Musselburgh today and Ishetoo, who has already proved himself on the track, should arrive in time to collect this valuable prize.

He never stopped improving last year and, despite running off a 7lb higher mark than his fifth and final win of the 2007 campaign, he mastered Princess Ellis as the platform was approaching here two outings ago.

It was his first outing for seven weeks after trainer Allan Dickman decided to give him a break while the ground was unsuitable and has returned shaping as though he still has more in the engine.

Ignore his subsequent failure in the Ayr Gold Cup. Not only was it a step up in class, but six furlongs is not his ideal trip and the testing conditions were never going to be in his favour.

He was raised 5lb for his only success this term, but I think he can still be competitive off this mark and he is a fresher horse than the majority of his rivals who will be crossing the Scottish border for this big sprint.

His ability to race prominently will be advantageous from his low draw and the only worry is if the entire field come over to the stands’ side to cause bunching and hard luck stories.

Tombi has never been asked to go to the well that often and rarely runs a bad race as a result. He had been off 70 days prior to his latest run at Redcar where he stepped up to seven furlongs and only just lost out to the Godolphin horse Il Warrd.

My concern is that he has never won over the minimum trip and, though blessed with bags of speed, might find this easy five furlongs on the sharp side.

I think he has more to offer next year. He looks the type that will continue to improve with age and is best when fresh as his record of winning first time out in the last seasons indicates. I like him a lot and, win or lose today, keep an eye on him.

It will not be soft enough for Reverence who now finds himself handicapping again as the years begin to take their toll for this one-time champion sprinter. Hogmaneigh did us a good turn in the Portland but we may have seen the best of him then. Fullandby, however, is keeping his form well and should not be overlooked lightly. The one I fear most is Siren’s Gift who looked all over the winner of the Portland until Hogmaneigh and River Falcon came late to deny her. She didn’t do a lot wrong again next time when beaten by Peace Offering at Newmarket, and while she has a modest strike rate for a filly of her ability, this looks another opportunity.

Siren’s Gift is drawn high which is not such a handicap in maximum fields at Musselburgh when the ground is riding good or faster. Sticking to the inside rail and keeping out of trouble could work to her advantage and I suggest backing her as a saver while the main stake goes on Ishetoo on the other side.

I certainly hope a double-figure berth will help Divine Spirit to get back on the winning trail in the National Express Reserve Handicap, a consolation event for those eliminated from the main attraction. He is fairly treated on his best form and there are valid excuses for his two defeats since winning at Beverley. He found himself in a hopeless position behind a wall of horses on his last visit and his jockey gave up, while the ground was too heavy for him when never in contention at Ayr. He beat Green Park at Beverley and is weighted to do so again.

Over the jumps at Hexham, Sue Smith appears to have found the right race for Black Mogul to get off the mark in the Eldon Square Heart Of City Centre Maiden Hurdle. He was clear of the remainder when third to Numero Due at Sedgefield and this should take less winning.