Aintree - Race 3 v Race Winner

13 August 2009

Preview By Tipster rdeacon (England)

This is a class 3 handicap, run over 7 Furlongs. As is usually the case with these types of races, its a wide open affair and not many of the runners can confidently be ruled out on certain pieces of form. The race looks like being run at a good strong early pace. Guilded Warrior, Mujood, Film Set and Shabib are all horses that can, have or do front run. With those 4 in the field, there shouldnt be any hanging around. With plenty of early pace combined with sandowns stiff finish, this race looks like it could well be set up for a finisher. Horses held up or racing just off the early pace may have a slight advantage here. Racing tactics arent set in stone and can be changed at will by connections. However, with 4 horses that like to get on with it here today, its highly likely the race should be run at a good pace. That being the case, it could be that the race is set up nicely for something finishing strongly from off the pace. Previously trained by Mick Channon, the horse moved stables for the start of this season. He is now in the care of Gary Moore, and will be ridden today by Pat Cosgrave. The horse has won 6 times in his career, 5 of those wins have come over todays specialist 7 Furlong trip. 7 Furlongs is clearly this horses optimum trip. The ground at Sandown today is forecast as being Good. That wont be a problem to South Cape, who appears very versatile with regards to underfoot conditions. The horses 6 wins have come on varying types of ground. He has won on Good to Firm, Good, Good to Soft and Heavy ground. The horses last win came in September of last year. That was a class 2 handicap at Goodwood, which he won from a rating of 87. He races here today in a class 3 handicap from a rating of just 83. The horse is well handicapped and has the ability to go well here today. Since joining the Gary Moore stable, the horse has run 4 times. His 1st start of the season came in a class 2 event at Epsom. He finished 8th of 9 there. He would certainly have needed that run, having been off the track for 8 months. Epsom is also a course that doesnt suit every horse, so it could also have been that South Cape just didnt act on Epsoms unique track. His 2nd start of the season came in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot. He ran well there for a long way, before weakening and finishing down the field. That would have been a hugely competitive race for just his 2nd start of the season. That run probably isnt as bad as it first appears. South Cape went back to Ascot for his next run, where he finished 6th of 16. That was a good effort, considering it came in a Lady riders race. With all due respect to the fairer sex, the best horse quite often doesnt win in such races. On his latest start, the horse was upped in trip to 1 mile at Glorious Goodwood. The horse had the misfortune of actually falling in that race. Racing in midfield, he clipped heels with another horse and was brought down. Clearly that effort can be erased. The horse looks to have plenty going for him today and could well surprise at a big price. The drop back to his optimum trip of 7 Furlongs will suit. Ground conditions will be fine. The horse won a class 2 handicap from a rating of 87 last year. He races here today in a class 3 handicap from a rating of just 83. Clearly well handicapped, with the ability to be a big player here. Although he hasnt won here, South Cape has run well at Sandown previously, which is another plus. Pat Cosgrave has ridden for Gary Moore just 3 times in the last 5 years, winning once. With plenty of early pace looking likely, South Cape should also get the race run to suit him. South Cape is drawn in stall 9. That looks a reasonable enough draw. Hopefully he can get a decent early position, either held up or just off the pace, before finishing strongly. At the prices available South Cape represents a decent each way bet here today.

5 points EACH WAY (10 points in total) South Cape @ 17.0 with Ladbrokes (best odds guaranteed) 1/4 odds a place 1,2,3