Palavicini

21-Aug-2009

I have this between Forgotten Voice, Perfect Stride and Palavicini and, at the prices, it is worth taking a chance that Palavicini can leave his Royal Ascot run behind and bounce back to his early season form. He didn’t really have the run of the race at Ascot, he was held up out the back and was short of room when Eddie Ahern wanted to go forward on the run down towards the home turn. He was carrying a 5lb penalty as well that day, and he never appeared happy. Also, you can forgive any horse a poor run at the all-new Ascot.

On his neck defeat of Father Time in the Fairway Stakes at Newmarket in May, he has every chance of getting in there among the big guns in this. He was a bit free through the early part of the race, and just held on from Father Time, so there is every chance that the drop down to this nine-furlong trip will suit. John Dunlop’s horses are in really good form these days, and he won this race with his only ever runner, Right Wing in 2000.

It is not going to be easy, Forgotten Voice sets a fair standard, and Perfect Stride wouldn’t have to improve a lot on his Royal Ascot win to go close, although Glass Harmonium would surely have been the stable’s first string if he had run. Spring Of Fame and the South African Russian Sage are also players. However, Palavicini is right up there with them on his best form, his overall profile is progressive, he should be much more at home at York than he was at Ascot, he comes into the race fresher than most, and he is worth backing at 14/1.

PALAVICINI WON (ADV 14/1, SP 8/1)

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