3 minute read
The Gino Poletti trained Back To A Walk has been racing in great form this time in and appears well placed to break back into the winners' stall at Ascot on Saturday.
Having notched up an impressive win fresh before a game second two starts back the son of Artie Schiller drops back sharply in grade from his latest performance when only beaten three-and-a-half lengths behind Platinum Rocker in the Group 3 Beau Stakes.
A performance which successfully saw him record a new career peak and has him very well placed on Timeform weight adjusted ratings on Saturday.
Stepping out at just start number eight, Back To A Walk has displayed plenty of ability in his short career to date and does appear well ahead of his mark at this point in time.
Installed the current 5-2 favourite at this point in time seems a more than generous gamble as we have him rated closer to a 6-4 chance and expect him to start closer to this mark on Saturday.
From the good draw he should be able position himself up nicely just off the speed and given he does possess the ability to reel off a very fast closing sectional we expect him to prove too slick for his rivals.
Struggling to fathom the vast market swing between Arcadia Rose and Miss Rose De Lago in the Group 3 Champion Fillies Stakes on Saturday.Last time they met Arcadia Rose was the well supported 5-4 favourite and was clearly unsuited by the slow tempo in front when unable to pick up the leader and eventual winner Miss Rose De Lago.
While comprehensively beaten, when the leader works home in 34.54 and you're spotting the leader close to four lengths it is almost impossible to make up the ground required to win.
On Saturday they meet on level terms and Arcadia Rose appears further aided by the step up to the mile.
Given on best form they are rated equal, the 4-1 on offer about Arcadia Rose appears more than generous and we are willing to gamble that she can turn the tables having comprehensively defeated Miss Rose De Lago two starts back.
The Stephen Wolfe trained Mr Utopia proved quite the bank builder last preparation however he does appear under the odds resuming in a very open race on Saturday.
The fact he is also low percentage given he gets back to last in a majority of his races we see him spotting talented mare Magnifisio too much start at the top of the straight and won't be able to reel her in over six furlongs.
His career peak performances have come at seven furlongs and we are happy to let him go around at the short odds at this point in time.
BEST FROM THE WEST:
BANKER: Race 5 #10 Back To A Walk @ $3.50
PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 6 #3 Arcadia Rose @ $5.00
LAY OF THE DAY: Race 8 #9 Mr Utopia @ $2.70