Golan Fortune

26th-Dec-2017

Kildisart was my starting point for this race, but I thought that he would be bigger than 7/2.  He could run a big race, but he is shorter than I thought he should have been.

I am backing Golan Fortune at 7/1 or 15/2.  Phil Middleton’s horse appeared to win with more in hand than the bare winning margin at Ascot on Friday.  Always travelling well just behind the leader, he hit the front after the third last flight, but he appeared to idle once he got there.  He travelled well in front, but he was caught and passed by The Mighty Don at the second last flight.  He fought his way back to join the new leader.  Back in front on the run to the last, he made a mistake there and surrendered the advantage again, but he battled back well on the run-in to win nicely.

He is surely in for a hike from the handicapper for that win, probably 5lb or 6lb at least, but he races today before his new mark has been published.  Also, because that was a conditional jockeys’ race, he gets to race today without a penalty.  It is probable that he is a well handicapped horse today, racing off a mark of 123.

Also, he is only five and that was just his sixth run over hurdles, so he has lots of scope for further progression.  As long as he has recovered from Friday’s exertions, he could run a big race here, and that chance is worth taking at the price.

GOLAN FORTUNE WON (ADV 15/2, SP 7/2)