17th-Jun-2023

There is lots to like about the case for Kihavah.

He goes into the race in good form for starters.  He won a handicap over today’s course and distance at the Dante meeting in May, and he kept on well to win over hurdles at Market Rasen last time.

He is only 5lb higher now than he was when he won at York in May, and that is very fair.  He only won by a length in the end, but he travelled like the most likely winner from a long way out, and he left the impression that he was only just doing as much as he needed to do.  He should be well able for a mark of 86.

We know that he goes well at the track, he won that May handicap last year too, and a mile and a half is probably his optimum trip on the flat.  And trainer Adrian Keatley’s horses are in good form.  He has had two winners from his last seven runners, and, trainer of the Irish 1000 Guineas winner Jet Setting, he is on track for his best season yet in Britain.

The final piece of the jigsaw is the booking of Jody Townend.  She is a top female rider, she has been champion lady amateur rider in Ireland for the last three seasons, and the fact that Adrian Keatley has booked her for the ride is obviously a signal of intent.

The main danger in my book is Dream Harder, who represents last year’s winning combination of Ian Williams and Alice Stevens, but Kihavah is the bet.

KIHAVAH WON (ADV 7/2, SP 11/4)