No catching Cabeza

LONDON: Cabeza de Vaca met one too good on three occasions as a juvenile but looks capable of breaking his duck in the Manny Bernstein Minimum 5 Per Call Median Auction Maiden Stakes at Redcar today.

The son of Lahib is clearly no superstar but Mark Johnston’s horses are now coming to hand after being held up in their homework due to the prolonged dry spell.  He meets nothing out of the ordinary here and he goes well on top of the ground to boot. Tim Easterby’s My American Beauty is worth a look in the Manny Bernstein Pay Double Result Fillies’ Handicap. She cut little ice when only 10th at Thirsk earlier this month on her return from a lengthy break but is only a 1lb higher than when just touched off in a decent contest at Pontefract last July. There was plenty to like about the debut of Peruvian Style even though the Nick Littmoden-trained colt was just beaten a head by Iron Temptress in a firm-ground Beverley maiden. He attempted to make all and travelled particularly well before just running out of steam close home.

The experience will have done him the world of good and there should be more to come in the Manny Bernstein Credit And Debit Betting Maiden Auction Stakes. Paul Felgate’s Prime Recreation stands out in the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap at Southwell where he looks well treated on some of his old form. The six-year-old won a better race than this at Kempton on his latest start. He is not always one to rely on but there was little wrong with that latest effort when he made all and he is the one to be on in this class E affair. Caroubier should take all the beating in the Memorial Of St Joseph The Workman Claiming Stakes. Jamie Osborne’s three-year-old ran out an impressive six-length winner over today’s course and distance in handicap company last time.

SELECTIONS: REDCAR: 2.20 Peruvian Style, 2.55 Sea Jade, 3.25 Bodfari Pride, 3.55 My American Beauty, 4.25 CABEZA DE VACA (NAP), 4.55 Sporting Gesture. 
SOUTHWELL: 2.30 Four Amigos, 3.05 Caroubier, 3.35 Just Jennifer, 4.05 Prime Recreation, 4.35 Boisdale, 5.05 Bond May Day. 
HEREFORD: 2.10 Comanche War Paint, 2.45 Macgeorge, 3.15 Fin Bec, 3.45 Kadlass, 4.15 Maiden Voyage, 4.45 Tumbleweed Glen, 5.15 Misty Future. 
DOUBLE: Cabeza de Vaca and Peruvian Style.