
Thursday’s NAP is a flat horse who looks to have an outstanding chance of getting off the mark at the fifth attempt when he contests the opener at Wolverhampton.
Ed Dunlop’s Cuban Harry is a horse I’ve followed closely this season, having seen a fair bit of promise in his racecourse debut at Newmarket back in August.
Slow out of the gates and keen early on, I thought it was a more than respectable effort to finish just over three lengths behind the 80-rated winner, with some nice types in-between.
He was then dropped in trip, which I never thought would suit, at Windsor and Pontefract a month later, again performing with credit in defeat.
Back up to seven furlongs and tried in a handicap for the first time off a mark of just 69, I was keen on him at Lingfield the last day. He could only manage fifth though, once again taking a pull throughout.
However, he wasn’t beaten far in the end and, under the circumstances, I thought it was another fair run. The handicapper clearly disagrees, as he’s dropped him two pounds for that effort. Generous, in my humble opinion.
Dunlop, who’s enjoyed a few winners lately, has reached for the visor ahead of this 0-65 nursery handicap, which I’m hoping will help the two-year-old son of Havana Grey settle better. If that has its desired effect, I think he’ll prove tough to beat under the fantastic Rossa Ryan.
Asian Tide is respected for similar reasons, and Aljadel is a danger, but I’m pretty unconvinced by the rest of the field and I’ll be bitterly disappointed if the selection doesn’t at least go very close here.
This is a ‘Free Bet if 2nd’ race, so Betfred will refund your stake (up to £10) as a free bet if the horse you’ve backed finishes second. T&Cs apply.