Sand Stormers: Saucy Cat one to consider next time

Sand Stormers / Paul Smith / 22 February 2012 / Leave a Comment

Kempton is the venue for this week's best bet.

"he [Showboating] can confirm the promise of his run behind The Strig – form that has been franked by the subsequent wins of the second, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth...."

Paul Smith is hoping that a quirky customer can put his best foot forward at Kempton on Thursday night.

Teen Ager couldn't land the money at Kempton last week but he has another chance to set the record straight at the same track on Thursday night (19.20).

His foibles are well documented but he wasn't helped by being caught out wide last time and that should be less of an issue from a better draw.

John Fahy, who was aboard for his last success, is back in the saddle and this looks a weaker event than last week. An in-running lay is probably advisable as a back up, but he is going to pop up in one of these at some stage.

The only other horse to follow with an engagement this week is Showboating, who is in the 14.50 at Lingfield on Saturday.

Having caught the eye with a strong finish on his penultimate start, he was given an unusual ride last time, dropped in against the rail despite having a wide draw.

Martin Harley is scheduled to replace Nora Looby on this occasion and with the extra furlong no problem, he can confirm the promise of his run behind The Strig - form that has been franked by the subsequent wins of the second, fourth, sixth, seventh and eighth.

Looking back at last week, Legal Legacy went close to joining the list, doing well to get as close as he did and almost certainly still well treated on the All Weather.

His tendency to fluff the start does mean he starts off on the back foot though and he is therefore dependent on a decent gallop.

John Best hasn't been as prolific this winter as was once the case but, in Saucy Cat, he has a filly who ought to be up to adding to his tally in the coming weeks.

Well beaten in three maidens for a different stable, she has run respectably on both starts in handicaps without being seen to best effect on either occasion.

Her latest keeping-on third came in a race run at a crawl, even by Lingfield standards, and that wouldn't have suited a filly who is bred to stay further (her dam was a prolific winner at up to 2m).

There was enough promise in the run to think she could take advantage of a plater's mark when her stamina is more fully tested though.

Sand Stormers NAP
Teen Ager (19.20 Kempton, Thursday)

LIST OF HORSES TO FOLLOW
Adorable Choice (underrated filly who did well to last as long as she did at Newbury (21/10))
Bond Fastrac (still well handicapped on old form and good second at Nottingham (11/10))
Chambles (going the right way and latest third (12/1) better than it looks)
Flag Of Glory (shaped nicely on first run for Peter Hiatt (27/10); can do better)
Forever's Girl (best of those held up (10/11), return to 6f, Polytrack a plus)
George Guru (lightly raced and still on the up; poor draw (2/11))
Glastonberry (stuck to the inside (7/1) and still open to improvement)
Global Village (did well to make up as much ground as he did (2/1))
Greek Islands (looked worth upping in trip (12/10))
Incomparable (looks ready to strike when dropped back to 5f)
Intransigent (related to smart AW performer and promise on debut (10/10))
Mr Willis (best of those held up at Lingfield (4/2))
Priestley's Reward (ran best race so far when second on All Weather debut (22/10))
Saucy Cat (wouldn't have been suited by the dawdle (15/2))
Showboating (good effort in slowly run race (14/1))
Sole Danser (progressive sprinter, more to come (11/2))
Teen Ager (repeatedly hampered at Kempton (1/2))
Zain Princess (unexposed and looks type to make mark in handicaps (11/2))