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Boadicea Belle ran third yesterday at 15.69
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Beckett could have a useful stayer on his hands
Back Latin Verse @ 15/4 in the 14:20 at Nottingham
Boadicea Belle placed third at a BSP of 15.69 yesterday for the column - defying another huge market drift (was 9/1), and also a poor ride as she was given far too much to do. She can win in that grade over 1m, for sure.
An afternoon of attrition lies in store for the second meeting of the Flat season at Nottingham on Wednesday. While the heavy going is a bit of an unknown for Latin Verse, his ability to stay 1m4f will stand him in good stead dropping back down to 1m2f.
Trained by the 'R' man Ralph Beckett, he switches to a handicap today for the first time off a mark of 82, and he looks just the type for some good staying races over today's distance and 1m6f.
His third start on the All-Weather was a win, overcoming a race finishing speed of 110% off a steady pace to clock three closing sectionals all under 12 seconds.
Beckett trained the horse's mother Parnell's Dream, and she scored in heavy ground at Haydock over 1m4f. With a proper stamina pedigree, I see today's selection staying the trip well.
Parys should act in the soft conditions
Back Parys Mountain @ 9/1 in the 16:18 at Catterick
I remain steadfast in my determination to get a winner from Tim Easterby, and while his recent strike-rate has been poor, a few of his horses have run well. They have often been a touch unlucky.
Parys Mountain has got me interested at 9/1 - the same number as his age.
I don't expect a ton of improvement given he's at the veteran stage of his career, but he ended the 2022 Flat season with a win at Redcar off 64, and he starts this campaign from just a 2lb higher mark.
That means he's still fairly treated considering he raced for much of his career in the 70s and 80s. He stays 1m well, although he alternates between that trip and 7f, and has winning form on soft ground.
Drawn six of the 13 hopefully shouldn't be too much of a problem as he is a prominent racer, and he loves Catterick too as a four-time CD winner.
This is an Extra Place Special on the Betfair Sportsbook, so at 9s with four places he makes a bit of appeal too if you are playing as a single.