It all adds up to Adiemus

LONDON: Adiemus may not be an original choice but he has so much in his favour that it could prove costly to avoid the obvious in the ?100,000 Freephone Stanley Lincoln at Doncaster today.

Fit from three excellent efforts on the all-weather this winter, the five-year-old went within a head of taking this Showcase Handicap over the straight mile 12 months ago and will actually carry 6lbs less than last March. In fact, Adiemus just made the cut for the first big race of the new turf season and he can make the most of his luck to allow trainer Jeremy Noseda’s hard work to pay dividends. Adiemus was last in action only last Saturday on Lingfield’s Polytrack where he failed by a neck to peg back Parasol in a Listed race, the Littlewoods Bet Direct Winter Derby. He now goes from that lofty contest where he carried 9st 10lbs to bottom weight in a Class B event. The going should suit and rider Shane Kelly should be able to place him where he likes from stall 10. 

Pick of the opposition look to be last year’s sixth Norton, who went on to lift the Royal Hunt Cup, and Colisay, who was a staying-on seventh to Millennium Force in a valuable seven-furlong handicap at Ascot in September. Orientor, third in the Cammidge Trophy last year, can lift this Listed race over six furlongs for trainer Jim Goldie this time round. Rocket Ship created a favourable impression on his only start as a two-year-old and can get the new campaign off on a winning note in the Greenham Classified Stakes at Kempton. Roger Charlton’s son of Pennekamp stayed on strongly when beating Prince Of Gold by two and a half lengths on his belated debut over a mile at York in October. And this nine furlongs should suit.

Royal Storm has shown his well-being with placed efforts on the all-weather this year and can open his account in the New Season Handicap. Amanda Perrett’s four-year-old scored three times last term and does not appear harshly-treated. Glenmoss Tara can take the day’s feature race over jumps, the EBF Crandon Park Stud Mares’ ‘National Hunt’ Novices’ Hurdle Final (Limited Handicap) at Newbury. Nicky Richards’ charge could well be a cut above handicap company if she maintains the progress she has shown so far. Unbeaten in three starts over hurdles, Glenmoss Tara has been aimed at this race since she completed a hat-trick over two-and-a-half miles at Musselburgh in January. She got up on the run-in to beat Lingham Bridesmaid by four lengths and the extra furlong at Newbury should see her in even better light.

At Bangor, Amberleigh House can show he is on course to up a bold show in the Martell Cognac Grand National by winning the Weatherbys Insurance Handicap Chase. His trainer Ginger McCain, famous for his association with triple National hero Red Rum, had been giving the 11-year-old a few outings over hurdles including here before switching him back to fences for his latest start. That was in the highly-competitive Red Square Vodka Gold Cup at Haydock in which Amberleigh House ran well until fading in the straight in the race won by Shotgun Willy. Today’s distance of two-and-a-half miles may be short of his best but the opposition does not look taxing.

SELECTIONS: DONCASTER: 1.55 Bond Becks, 2.30 Darasim, 3.05 ADIEMUS (NAP), 3.40 Orientor, 4.10 Ridgeback, 4.40 King Tara, 5.15 El Coto.
KEMPTON: 2.20 Miss Brookie, 2.55 Capital Access, 3.30 Royal Storm, 4.05 Bonus, 4.35 Rocket Ship, 5.10 Reminiscent.
WOLVERHAMPTON: 7.00 Kentucky Ballet, 7.30 Blackmoll, 8.00 African Sahara, 8.30 Prince Tulum, 9.00 Teyaar, 9.30 Yorker.
NEWBURY: 1.40 Reviewer, 2.10 Spinofski, 2.45 Hot Produxion, 3.20 Glenmoss Tara, 3.55 Dene View, 4.30 Nawamees, 5.05 Lord Buckingham.
BANGOR: 2.00 Inn Antique, 2.35 Superb Leader, 3.10 Jacdor, 3.45 Amberleigh House, 4.20 Beeches Girl, 4.55 Bicycle Thief, 5.25 Imperial Dream.
DOUBLE: Adiemus and Glenmoss Tara.