March To The Bookies For A Shot At Southwell Hurdler
Improving Four-Year-Old Ready To Strike Again
The Skeltons are having a terrific season with trainer Dan fast heading to the 200 mark and he looks like adding to that total with MERCER’S TROOP today. The gelding, named after a battery that cut its teeth at Waterloo, started his career in fine style with a win at Kempton for Archie Watson in the winter of 2018, but five subsequent races proved disappointing. The Skeltons took him on board but there was clearly a problem and the son of Canford Cliffs underwent wind surgery at the end of October last year. It seemed to have worked with a nice runner-up spot at Plumpton but a 22 lengths defeat in his next race put the doubts in again. These were dispelled with a win at Uttoxeter in February where the horse got everything together and came away from consistent type Catchin Time and 11 others. A repeat of that, even under 5 lbs extra would surely win today’s race, and improvement seems more than likely. Top rated on BTO regular and speed ratings he has opponents with a good smattering of negatives apart from 25/1 shots PARDON ME and POTTER’S SAPPHIRE and can outgun this opposition. G LeesFollow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
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