Asian Angel Fancied to Confirm Promise of Recent Course Success

Go back three starts in the career of Asian Angel and you will see a run towards the end of June at Ayr over the distance of 1m2f. He won by five lengths that day and looked like being a real prospect to follow on the handicap scene after the penny had finally dropped. He went to Windsor and finished third just three days after that and the travelling between races alongside the quick turnaround between runs probably meant we didn’t see him at his best on that occasion. There was nothing wrong with that run, but he didn’t show the same spark.

Then last time out he went to Nottingham in what looked to be a decent race. That was won by what I think is a nicely handicapped horse in Great Example, with Asian Angel back in fourth, just under four lengths behind. There was no disgrace finishing behind that horse but Asian Angel should have got a lot closer that day. He completely missed the break and was forced to drop in towards the rear of the field, something that doesn’t suit his style. When winning at Ayr and also when running at Windsor, he was up with the pace and challenging the leaders. I don’t think he needs to lead, but he does need to be close with the pace to be seen at his best.

There have been excuses for his last two runs, and if you are prepared to ignore those and judge this horse on his win at Ayr then he appears to have a great chance here. That is exactly what I am happy to do here with this horse, he hasn’t been lucky in recent runs and I think a return up to Ayr and a bit of luck can see him back in the winners enclosure on Monday.