BIG RACE PREVIEW: The pick of Friday’s action comes from Haydock as Edraak leads the betting in the Tin Man Handicap.
The Tin Man Handicap (2:20 Haydock, Friday) is a real tight affair with just 4lb separating five of the seven runners. The field is headed by Edraak, a 100 rated five-year-old gelding who could still be improving as he has only ever run twelve times in his career. He last ran a month ago in a Class 2 handicap at Windsor where he looked unlucky in the run as he finished a never nearer fourth beaten just three lengths off his current mark. He would definitely have finished closer had he enjoyed a clear passage and he may even have won suggesting that his mark here looks to be very workable indeed.
Of the opposition Embour continues to run well from a mark 3lb below his last winning mark. He dropped a couple of levels when contesting a Class 4 handicap at Catterick last time and whilst it may have seemed a little disappointing that he couldn’t get the job done, he was only beaten a head in a sustained battle with Lezardrieux. He has run very well all season at this level and he is primed to do so again.
Be Proud is interesting and in good form too. He was well on top at the end of a competitive Sandown handicap over five furlongs last time out and whilst he has only ever won over the minimum distance he actually stays seven furlongs very well and so there is no issue with the six furlong trip here. However he runs here off a career high mark of 85 and so he does have to prove that both the trip and the revised mark can be overcome.
All of which leads to the improving three-year-old Mitrosonfire. He is aptly named as he has won four of his previous six races and last time at Newmarket he won on his first venture into all-aged company when holding off Wentworth Falls by a neck. Although only winning by a small margin, he looked as though he had a bit more in the tank and jockey Stefano Cherchi seemed to confirm this by stating that he felt the son of Lethal Force was idling a little in front. He is stepping up markedly in grade here but he is in a rich vein of form and he should give his supporters another big run for their money.
None of the seven runners can be easily discounted and it is an intriguing race. The analysis suggests that Mitrosonfire has every chance of making it win number five from his last seven starts and if that is to be the case then Edraak looks to be the one that he has to beat.
Check out the market here -> https://bit.ly/3zLQnuv
