Express Himself
Express Himself ran a lot better than his finishing position suggests in the Lincoln at Doncaster last Saturday.
Stone last of the 22 runners out of the gate, he was keener than ideal through the early stages of the race. Jim Crowley tried to get him covered up among horses, but he still raced keenly. One of the only horses still on the bridle at the three furlong pole, he moved easily into a share of the lead, and he looked the likely winner at the two-furlong pole. However, Bravo Zolo burst clear on the far side at that point and, when Crowley asked his horse to pick up, he just couldn't go with the new leader as his early exertions told. He just kept on from there, fading from second place out of the first five, as Secret Brief challenged Bravo Zolo, ultimately finishing seventh.
This was still a big run from Ed McMahon's horse, and he proved that he was well able to operate off his mark of 101. The handicapper has left him on that mark, but there could still be a big handicap in him now off that mark. He should improve for this, his seasonal debut, he shouldn't be as keen or as fresh next time. He goes well on fast ground as well as on this soft ground, he can stretch out to 10 furlongs, and he goes particularly well at Haydock, where he is three for four over a mile. He will be of interest wherever he runs next, but he will be of particular interest the next time he runs at Haydock.
2nd April 2016
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