LONDON – Petella can step up on her recent reappearance by landing the 127th Year of Watt Memorial Handicap at Beverley on Tuesday.
George Moore’s charge made a belated return to action at Pontefract last month, finishing a creditable fourth on her first outing for well over 200 days. The Tamure mare tried her best to make a race of it 600m out but her lack of match practice possibly just told as she faded to finish seven lengths adrift of winner Blackstone Vegas.
The six-year-old proved pretty useful last term too, winning twice and placing on a few more occasions, leaping from an initial mark of 57 to a high of 68 in the process. Lining up her off a perch of 66, Petella is just 1.5kg higher than her last winning mark and is more than capable of another good show.
Tim Easterby enjoyed a memorable weekend with big-race wins at Newbury, York and Hamilton and Holy Angel is another to watch in the tyregiant.com Sprint Handicap. Winless in five starts so far, this filly is not without ability, as she demonstrated when fifth on her seasonal bow at Newcastle last month. She was found wanting in the final 100 yards that day but with the handicapper easing her 1kg in the ratings and a favourable high draw here, Holy Angel can break her duck.
Asker is an intriguing contender in the At The Races Handicap at Ffos Las as he bids to defend his 100% record. A rare bumper runner for Marcus Tregoning last October, the four-year-old ran out an easy winner but did not run again over the winter.
Pitched into Flat maiden company on his return at Chepstow last month, Asker basically did everything wrong but still managed to win. He missed the break and was under pressure 800m out before finding his stride and staying on for a six-length win on heavy ground.
A half-brother to top hurdler Celestial Halo among others, Asker is clearly not straightforward as he wears blinkers and hung when hitting the front at Chepstow. Despite his quirks, he has plenty of potential and it will be interesting to see how he fares at this level.
Future Security registered a minor surprise when seeing off a better fancied fellow Godolphin runner on his final start at Redcar last term. Third behind Derby fourth Thought Worthy on his racecourse bow, he stepped up on that to see off Zaeem by a neck at Newcastle last October.
Trainer Saeed bin Suroor has obviously had to exercise plenty of patience as he is only reappearing now, but Future Security can make the wait worthwhile in the Adios Handicap at Yarmouth.
Mingun Bell was a winner of his only all-weather start at Southwell back in 2009 and can enhance his record with another victory back at that track. After knocking on the door in two recent outings, Ed de Giles’s decision to switch surfaces can pay dividends in the Racing Post Form With totepool Mobile Handicap. – Press Association
