Lujano is the one to watch tonight: Moscrop
Dec 4 2010 by Doug Moscrop, The Journal
FROM Russia with very little love to our long-running TV soaps. It’s all depressing. And I haven’t mentioned those who whinge about the weather.
Matt Baker should take another step forward in his quest for the Strictly Come Dancing title and the other Matt is well on his way to emerging victorious in the X Factor. That’s the reality of it all, but I suggest you briefly dip out of the X Factor tonight and watch Lujano perform in the 8.20 at Wolverhampton.
Ollie Pears’ five-year-old may not be as talented in his field but he has won twice before at the Midlands all-weather track and his mentor is optimistic.
He had his supporters at the same venue three weeks ago and showed the way until a furlong out where he faded into fourth, beaten only three lengths. Admittedly he had the run of the race and there were no obvious excuses. However, it was his first appearance for almost 10 weeks and he has been dropped another couple of pounds.
His shrewd handler has also reached for the blinkers for the first time in the hope that the headgear will bring about some improvement. If it does, he has every chance of turning the tables on his conqueror Cyril The Squirrel with a 6lb pull and the runner-up, Join Up, with whom he is 2lb better off.
Earlier in the day, Channel 4 Racing will cover two races from Southwell, including the southwell-racecourse.co.uk Handicap, and Cosimo de Medici looks the one to take sides with after running well enough on his last two starts at Wolverhampton.
On both occasions, Hughie Morrison’s gelding was collared in the last furlong by one rival only and I think forcing tactics will be more effective on fibresand. His only previous experience of this surface resulted in victory. The first four races at Kempton’s additional fixture will also be screened on television with the William Hill-Home of Betting Handicap the most valuable prize.
Mia’s Boy has been disappointing since finishing runner-up three times in the spring, but there was more to like about his latest effort at Wolverhampton where he finished strongly in fourth. He was given a bit to do and he can take advantage of a slipping mark.
Green Wadi makes some appeal in the williamhill.com Handicap. He hasn’t been disgraced on his last two visits to Kempton and has given the impression that a strongly-run race will bring out the best in him.
