Escobar

19th-Oct-2019

I am backing Escobar in the Balmoral Handicap.

David O’Meara’s horse ran a cracker to finish second in this race last year. Before that run, it looked like he might be a Haydock horse, but he has proven his versatility since and, importantly, he has proven his ability at Ascot.  Indeed, three of his best five runs now have been at Ascot.

He did well last time to finish third behind Kynren and Greenside in the Challenge Cup. It never really looked like he was going to get to the front two, but he stayed on well to take third place. That was over seven furlongs, he should do even better today over a mile.

The handicapper left him on his mark of 105 after that, which was more than fair, it is just 3lb higher than the mark off which he finished second to Sharja Bridge in this race last year, and he goes into the race in better form. I think that his high draw is a positive, and he could run a big race.

ESCOBAR WON (ADV 18/1, SP 16/1)