24-Oct 2009

In the absence of Clowance, High Heeled is a decent bet for me here at the price. Fillies have a really good record in this race – only seven fillies have run in the race in the last 10 years, and two of them have won it – and Barry Hills’s filly is a wholly likeable performer with a touch of class. Third in the Oaks, she ran a cracker to beat the highly progressive Ave – winner of her next two – in a listed race at York in July. She was a little disappointing for me in the Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, but that was a strange day, run in fog and rain, and the 10-furlong trip would have been sharp enough for her. Furthermore, it was a Group 1 race and she was only actually beaten five lengths in it.

She was given a nice break after that and brought back at Newmarket last Saturday, where she ran really well to finish fourth behind Ashalanda and Crystal Capella, two high class fillies. She may not have to improve at all on that to win here, but she should improve anyway, given that it was her first run in two and a half months. Also, the ground will be easier today than it was then, and that will suit her well. Three-year-olds have a good record in this race (five winners and nine places from 29 runners in the last 10 years) and, as a nice bonus, Barry Hills had three winners from just six runners at Doncaster yesterday. All looks set for a big run from High Heeled, and she is well over-priced in my book at 11/2.

Harbinger is a take-on job on the ground. He could well live up to his lofty reputation, but he has never encountered ground as soft as he will today, and the fact that they are apparently going to try him in a tongue tie and cross noseband smacks more of hope than confidence. High Heeled’s stable companion Tastahil is a danger, back after a nice break since May. He battled on well to beat All The Aces at this course in the Aston Park back in May, but he may just prefer further than this 12-furlong trip. Enroller would also be a danger on the easy ground if he put his mind to it, but all the fancy prices about him are gone now, and I am happy to let him run at no better than 10/1.

HIGH HEELED WON (ADV 11/2, SP 4/1)