Finally a winner this month - better late than never. It panned out as hoped on Thursday, the drop in trip helped Iseemist and she won thanks to a resolute performance, showing good early speed, travelling well, then kicking on over 2f out and fending of all challengers in the closing stages.
14.20 Haydock: Fort Bastion @ 14/1 Bet365 - 2pts win
Fort Bastion impressed me on his seasonal return a fortnight ago at Thirsk, which was also his first good performance in almost two years. He has changed yards over the winter which seems to have a positive effect on him. He used to be a smart prospect as a 2yo when he finished 2nd behind Maybe at Royal Ascot but somewhere he lost his form and sparkle. At Thirsk recently he showed some of his old ability though, without getting a too hard rice, even though one could say he was one of the unlucky ones in this race. He settled in rear of the field, made progress turning for home from 3f out but got stuck in traffic on the inside rail soon after. His jockey made a dramatic move from 2f out from the inside to the widest outside of the field, which cost ground and momentum and is tough on horses who have to straighten up and pick up again. Fort Bastion was running out of time anyway but finished the race well on the the outside under hands and heels. He should come on allot for this run and should be better today. 7f might be a bit too sharp on drying ground, but there is loads of pace on here, which should help. He can also race from bottom of the weights off a very nice mark now, and that all together gives him a really nice chance, if he can bring his best to the table today.
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