1:55 – Isolate 12/1 E/W
3:40 – Golan Fortune 11/1 E/W
Isolate
On To Victory would appear to be Alan King’s first string based on price and jockey bookings but I think Isolate is capable of out running his odds.
Having only raced over hurdles once as a juvenile last season in what was an eye catching run, Isolate returned to hurdles this term and was sent off favourite on his seasonal reappearance but could only manage 3rd behind the smart Guard Your Dreams. He was keen early and the ground was softer than ideal so that run is forgivable.
He quickly put that run behind him, as he racked up two quick victories in good style; the first those came at the expense of the now 129 rated Glory and Honour, with Celestial Force nineteen lengths behind Isolate. The latter lines up here too and currently heads the market. He was conceding a double penalty to the winner that day with Isolate now having to give him a pound, but he still has ground to make up on that run although it’s likely that Celestial Force was not at his best.
Isolate then shaped well in a Grade 3 handicap at Ascot in gruelling conditions which wouldn’t have suited. Still, he travelled better than most and was still fourth when turning for home before conditions took their toll. He runs in just his second handicap today off a two pound lower mark compared to that Ascot run.
His reappearance after a 100-day break was a tad disappointing but he was fairly easy to back that day and his first start of the season indicated that he might be one that needs his first run after an absence. Again, he was keen early and wasn’t given an unduly hard time, perhaps with a view to this race.
He’s sure to strip fitter for that run and a strongly run two-miles looks ideal for him. With Flic Ou Voyou, Rockstar Ronnie, Pasvolsky and Twominutes Turkish all liking to go forward, he’ll get a good pace to aim at and I expect him to outrun his odds.
Golan Fortune
An admirable hurdler turned novice chaser, Golan Fortune won impressively on his debut over the larger obstacles back in December, comfortably beating the more experienced Champagne Well who previously finished behind Remastered and Shan Blue.
He then ran a cracker in the Grade 1 Kauto Star, where he turned for home with Shan Blue and The Big Breakaway before being pegged for third by If The Cap Fits at the line after a ragged jump at the last. He wasn’t disgraced in a Grade 2 at Warwick either
Having been ridden prominently on all three starts over hurdles, he was given an overtly negative ride by in the Midlands Grand National which resulted in him never landing a blow having put in an indifferent round of jumping.
Tom Scudamore takes the ride and given his style or riding, a more positive position is expected to be adopted. It’s also interesting that the cheekpieces go on for the first time since his debut win over fences.
The selection has won at Sandown before (over hurdles) and he also finished 2nd to Topofthegame off 137 here.
I think he has a big handicap in him off this kind of mark and I hope this is the one.
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