Road To Respect

16th-Apr-2017

Yorkhill is well clear on ratings, he has 9lb in hand of his nearest rival on official ratings, and he is a classy performer.  He was one of the best novice hurdlers in training last season, and he is three for three over fences this term.  However, he does tend to go to his left over his fences and, as such, he is vulnerable on a right-handed track.

As well as that, I think that Road To Respect is an under-rated horse. We had Noel Meade’s horse on side when he was only fourth in the Drinmore Chase over today’s course and distance in December, but he has started to realise his potential since then.

He was seriously impressive in winning the Plate at Cheltenham.  He made a bad mistake at the first fence, but he travelled through his race after that like a classy performer.  He could have been called as the most likely winner from a long way out, and he came clear over the last two fences to win easily in a really good time.

It is a little bit of a worry that he is zero for two at Fairyhouse, but he didn’t run badly in the Drinmore Chase for an outsider, and he could just have turned the corner now.  This intermediate trip is a good trip for him for now, he goes well on goodish ground, and he comes into this race on an upward trajectory.  Also, Bryan Cooper prefers him to Ball D’Arc, who is not without a chance.

Anibale Fly also has a chance, back on goodish ground, but I think that Road To Respect has been under-rated by the market by a fair way.  It is a pity that there are only seven runners but, even so, with Yorkhill taking out such a large percentage of the market, Road To Respect is an each-way bet.

ROAD TO RESPECT WON (ADV 13/2 [R4])