1:30 Wetherby – Uncle Alistair
Having won 5 of his first 6 starts under rules, UNCLE ALISTAIR looked like one of the most promising prospects in Northern racing back in 2018.
Injury played its part, and he missed the best part of 30-months before making his return at Ayr in March 2021. His 2 starts, when 3rd at Ayr and then 2nd to Papa Tango Charly at Carlisle in December would suggest that most of his ability remains intact.
The Carlisle run was his first start following a wind operation and having travelled strongly in rear he made good late headway to go down by just half-a-length to the 144-rated Papa Tango Charly who was completing a hat-trick of wins on the day. They beat the rest of the field by 6-lengths, and this appears to be a much weaker contest, with the highly progressive Erne River looking like his main danger, though he has a 6lb penalty to carry.
On soft ground with the benefit of that Carlisle run, he should get a more prominent ride under Brian Hughes, and we know that he will handle the track as he won a bumper here on debut in 2017.
2:40 Wetherby – Eragone
Another horse who has missed some time with injury is ERAGONE. Micky Hammonds 8-year-old has only made 3 starts in the 14-months since he switched from the Peltier yard in France and will be making his return from a 398-day absence this Wednesday.
The yard is very capable of readying a horse after an absence and in hindsight, we can certainly argue that he is well treated on a mark of 134. He fell when last seen over this course and distance, when he travelled like the winner before being left in front 5 out, which did not help his cause, though he was still in with a chance when he came down. The time before he was beaten just half-a-length by First Flow, who went on to win the G1 Clarence House Chase on his next start.
Whilst he does need to prove his fitness, that will be factored into his price and there is a significant chance that he is better than this grade.
