Neil Morrice takes a look at four UK dark horses who could impress in the coming weeks. Featured here are the likes of OBAMA ARMY, MILTYE and more!
OBAMA ARMY Nottingham, April 22nd
OBAMA ARMY has to go down as the moral winner of this low-grade handicap in which he only succumbed to Kamanika in the final stride. The Washington DC gelding looked in control when his apprentice pilot took him to the front at the distance, but she was too easy on him in the final couple of strides in which one wave of her whip would have secured victory. Obama Army goes down as a winner without a penalty, and can make amends.
MILTEYE Bath, April 20th
From the same stable Cable Bay colt MILTEYE raced prominently in this novice but started to gib rounding the sharp bend into the home straight. He then hung badly right, surrendering vital real estate to the tune of more ground than he was eventually beaten by. He’s a horse with the ability to readily take out a similar race at one of the smaller tracks but needs grabbing hold of to ensure a similar fate doesn’t befall him next time.
MASTER CHEWY Cheltenham, April 19th
MASTER CHEWY has proved a most frustrating individual for connections who paid a king’s ransom for him. In this extended two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle he travelled kindly from a hold up ride well off the pace. He started a forward move running down the hill but in the straight his challenge was muted. He will be dropped for this and is the type that will deliver at a fancy price when it’s least expected.
YOUNG BULL Cheltenham, April 19th
Representing Harry Whittington who will shortly relinquish his licence, YOUNG BULL did his best to give his master a final winner at the home of steeplechasing. He jumped and travelled far better than in his other races in a select campaign, and was only run down by Madeira Mist in the final few strides. To pour salt into his wounds, he came back lame on his off-fore. It looked a superficial injury, and when returning to the track Young Bull will be an interesting betting proposition, as he remains well-treated.
