Back-To-Form Filly Set To Take Prize

Horse Racing

Racing365
July 24, 2019 8:16 am

Distance And Going Look Ideal For Norton Mount

Two seasoned professionals team up again today in an average race to keep their race winning machine ticking along.

Mark Johnston, as he does most seasons, is operating around the 25% winning mark, the mounts shared by around a dozen jockeys.

One who benefits is the experienced Franny Norton.

The latter has had 15 rides for the stable in the last fortnight and come up with three wins and a few places and it is fair to say that he rarely gets it wrong on a horse that has a winning chance.

At Bath, the pair are 225 from a remarkable 1,462 runners (15%) in the last five years and they will try to add to that with WELCOMING this afternoon.

The filly was originally with Clive Cox and only competed every few months but Johnston has run her three times since she came to him in early June and she seemed solidly in form when second to How Bizarre in a Class 4 at Beverley just over a week ago.

Significantly, she is dropped 2lbs today and that, plus this suitable mile trip (had been running over shorter) can see her home in front.

The biggest, and obvious danger is Henry Candy’s CANAL ROCKS, who opened his account at Newbury over this distance three weeks ago, an improvement on the fifth he managed over a longer trip on his penultimate run.

That victory was in a Class 5, though and he runs of a rating 6lbs higher today.

In his favour is the two from six Candy has achieved when putting today’s pilot, Jason Watson up at Bath.

Last time out winner CONSPIRATOR looks the other threat but that win was in a field of three and the second, Creek Island has finished only fifth of eight in a Class 5 at Haydock since.

Welcoming’s 5/2 looks …

welcoming.

G Lees