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Bath 19:25

POWER OF DARKNESS is a very lightly raced 6yr old and has only racked up 12 races to date since starting his career at 2 years of age.

He’s been running consistently in class 2’s since his 4th start and takes the drop to a class 3 today for the first time.

He returned off a 204 day break to run at Newbury, where he dwelt the start and made no impression. Lto at Doncaster he raced freely, and again didn’t look threatening. Those tracks are both flat galloping tracks, and today’s stiff finishing track will be better suited, as he has done his better running there. Also the class 2’s would have made it tough as he looked outclassed.

The mount of Dane O’Neill is a positive one as he has had some questionable jockeys on board recently, with no disrespect. The last 2 jockeys to win on this horse were C Y Ho (an experienced jockey from Hong Kong for those hearing a new name) and Andrea Atzeni. Since then no massively experienced jockeys have rode until today. 

He now has two runs under his belt after a break, and hopefully can find his stride and be more involved here down in class. 

The threats for me are ZOFFARELLI and YOU’RE HIRED, but being drawn low in this race is not a good thing, and both horses mentioned are in stall 3 or below. Just 1 win from 43 runs is the stat for low draws in this race, and that alone is enough for me to look elsewhere. Not only them two, but the fav is also drawn low in stall 2.

We are drawn in the middle stalls, and should have an easy path over to the rails where we will do our best running late, and it should be with interest now back at the stiff finish. 

Cheek pieces on for the first time today, and breeding suggests he’ll like them, and the trainer applies them well too. 

For me I think the trainer expects a good run with the jockey booking and the drop back in class, the cheek pieces. Back on the stiff finish we stand every chance.

Kempton 19:05 

WAIT FOREVER is one of the older horses in the field at 6 years old.

His stand out performance came on today’s jockey’s (Richard Kingscote) only ride on this horse 2 starts ago at Windsor scoring a huge speed rating. Richard is back on board for the first time since that run today, which could be a sign of big things to come. 

This horse has lived and breathed this class for the last 2 years without winning, and the switch to the all weather could well spark a change in form. 

He has been amoungst the winners, finishing 3.75, 2.55 and 0.5 lengths off the winners over 10f in his last 3 starts, and the up in trip to 12f looks a great move. He has been keeping on in his performances, and breeding suggests he’ll like the extra distance too.

He should be running in mid division tomorrow, slightly further back than mid pack. Being drawn low is a positive here, and in stall 1 we will get that ground saving position. 

The threats look to be BOSS POWER and TAQAREER, but both are drawn wide, and that could cause a poor trip. 

A lot to like with this one at a price, and providing he gets on with the polytrack, which he has ran on before, he should be involved again.

Musselburgh 15:30 

TADREEB is one of two 3 year olds in this race and looks to be a progressive one for Mark Johnston.

He found the sweet spot last time readily improving when running on similar ground on a sharp course with Thirsk on his handicap debut. He won well that day in a class 4 and think the raise to a class 3 will only help as he seems to run at the level he is put in based on his 4 starts.

Mark has two running in this one and puts the better jockey (Joe Fanning) on ours showing his confidence. He is 8lb lighter too and I can see a real solid effort. 

Both trainer and jockey have excellent form at this course, and when running over 7f, at this course, over today’s going, handicap, age (3) these two have won 2/2 races together (3/1 and 17/2).