31st-Jul-2020

I spent a long while looking for alternatives to Prompting, and I think that Baltic Barron and Zwayyan could both out-run big odds, but I have come around to the conclusion that, actually, Prompting is over-priced at 7/2.

The case for David O’Meara’s horse is rock solid.  Never out of the first three in five runs for Olly Murphy, he has won his two races since he joined David O’Meara.  He was impressive in beating Tommy G at Ayr on his first run for his new trainer three weeks ago, and he stepped up on that last Saturday at York, keeping on well to win a competitive seven-furlong handicap by two lengths.

The handicapper raised him by 9lb for that win, but he gets to compete today under just a 3lb penalty, so he is 6lb well-in.  As well as that, he is so progressive that he has the potential to go beyond his new rating of 95, so he could be seriously well handicapped today on an effective mark of 89.

The step up to a mile is a little bit of a concern on pedigree, but he finished off his race well at York last time.  He went away from his rivals through the final furlong, he was strong at the line, and he actually shaped as if he would improve for a step up to a mile.  Also, he is ideally drawn today in stall two in a race in which a low draw is usually a big advantage.

There are only 15 runners, so it is a win-only bet.

PROMPTING WON (ADV 7/2 [R4], SP 3/1)