Monday 21st January

rossom

3.05 Wolverhampton

Priors Gold 7/1

Going to keep this quite short but I think Ollie Pears's charge looks excellent value at 7/1 and I think he is going to take a hell of a lot of beating in today's contest. Formerly with Gordon Elliott, this Ollie Pears owned and trained 6 year old has only had two starts for his new handler running very well on both occasions and I will be very, very surprised if he is out of the first 3. A facile C+D winning maiden for Elliott back in November 2011, Priors Gold made his first start for Pears on the back of a near year absence last month when running an extremely good 3rd off this mark of 75 when the (albeit comfortable) winner Thecornishcockney got first run on the field as he had to settle for a place. The form of that race looks strong with the front two home finishing a narrowly beaten 2nd and 3rd in the same better race off 6lb and 1lb higher marks respectively. Priors Gold was dropped into claiming company 10 days ago for his last start over 1m4f at Wolves where he again ran a very good race finishing 2nd to the bang in form and 87 rated Stand Guard in receipt of 4lb as he went down by an always held 1L. He travelled extremely well into the contest but perhaps could not quite quicken up as well as the 12lb higher rated winner and he lost very little in defeat. Stand Guard is in the form of his life at present winning 4 of his last 5 starts (latest two in claiming company) and he followed up his victory over Priors Gold by scoring by an eased down 14L against some average rivals a few days ago. Based on his last 2 efforts, I think he's definitely got some room to work with off a mark of 75 and he should appreciate the step back up in trip. Jacob Butterfield claims an extremely valuable 7lb off his back and comes here for this sole mount today. Trainer Ollie Pears is in blistering form with 2 wins and Priors Gold's 2nd from just 4 runners this year and he looks to have a very good opportunity to improve that record here. With a good draw in stall 2, I think Priors Gold is going to take an awful lot of beating and hopefully he lands this Class 5 handicap at an appealing price.

Mocha Joe

Down to 3/1 now. I think Desert Strike looks a decent bet in the first at 9/1.

Francie Barrett

Going to oppose you on this, Sohcatoa for me.

rossom

Race wasn't run to suit Priors Gold at all and he had to sit an suffer for ages but have a lot of doubts about whether he was good enough. Disappointing.