Selections for Saturday 10th May

14.05 Ascot: Glorious Protector @ 7/2 Paddy Power - 3pts win

I was impressed with the way Glorious Protector finished his race on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield last month when he clearly didn't have the run of the race. He was quite keen in the early stages, he then travelled strongly off the pace until turning for home, when he was forced to turn wider than ideal, which cost momentum and ground. He seemed a bit flat footed and took a while to find back his stride, but he did so eventually and finished best of all. In the end the distance he was beaten was basically the ground he lost when turning for home, compared to the eventual winner, who was racing most of the time beside him, but got the perfect run on the inside rail. Glorious Protector is clearly ahead of this mark and seems improved and more mature now as a 4yo, he is also generally lightly raced and should have more natural improvement in him. So the 3lb rise in the mark seems more than fair and he can overcome this tomorrow.


14.40 Ascot: Gatewood @ 7/1 William Hill - 2pts win

Gatewood showed a strong front-running performance at Doncaster at the end of March on his seasonal reappearance. He lead the small field with another horse and really took off after the first couple of furlongs, which seemed a rather suicidal pace to my eye. Yet he travelled strongly, and while his front-running companion couldn't sustain the effort, Gatewood was able. The eventul winner stayed on from well off the pace but couldn't pass Gatewood easily, who was battling hard. Excellent performance in my mind. He is a bit an unlucky horse, hitting the crossbar on numerous occasions, but no doubt he is a smart horse and deserves to win another Listed race.


17.40 Thirsk: Her Red Devil @ 16/1 Bet365 - 2pts win

Clearly overpriced this fily judged on her most recend big performance which came at Nottingham. She made basically all from the front that day, setting a strong pace, even though she was put under pressure most of the time by a prominent Mark Johnston runner. Yet she travelled extremely strongly, coming with a healthy lead into the home straight. The pack was after her and put her under pressure from 3f out, but she was able to find more and more. Eventually she tired inside the final furlong and was swept by the field but still it was a big performance in my mind. The drop in trip to 1m will suit tomorrow. She is still generally lightly raced and on a low mark. I expect a big performance if she is fine on the ground, which is my only slight concern.