2.45 Yarmouth Tiberius Claudius FC 8/1 Quite like the look of George Margason’s 3 year old in the shape of Tiberius Claudius Tomorrow he makes his handicap debut off a mark of 75 which I think is pretty fair. Despite not ever placing in his 5 starts to date, I believe he has shown enough in his last couple of starts that he certainly warrants enough respect that I will make him one of my selections for the day. On his first two starts as a 2 year old, Tiberius Claudius never really excelled too much and I don’t think there is any point in even mentioning these first two efforts. However, after an 8 month break, and breaking awkwardly from the stalls, Tiberius Claudius ran an excellent race to finish 5.75L 4th as he seemingly ran out of gas in the last furlong or so over 7f at Doncaster. Despite never having a chance of catching the winner, I think the 8 month caught up with him in the final furlong as he faded badly to just get pipped on the line for 3rd. The winner of that race King of Jazz has performed very well since, finishing 0.75L 2nd behind subsequent Royal Ascot winner Sagramor, and finishing 0.75L 2nd behind Chilworth Lad off a mark of 99. The 2nd of that race firebeam, who finished 4L in front of todays selection, has won 2 of his subsequent 3 starts including off a mark of 85. The 5th that day Early Applause, who finished 0.75L behind todays selections, has won off a mark of 75 and finished 2.25L 2nd off a mark of 78. The 6th that day Shamdarley, who finished 4L behind Tiberius Claudius, has subsequently come out and won twice since off marks of 69 and 77 and the 7th has come out and won off a mark of 70. This demonstrates the strong nature of the race and definitely indicates that Tiberius Claudius. Tiberius Claudius came out after this effort and disappointed when favourite when finishing 4th of 6 when being sent off the 5/4 favourite. However, in such a small trappy field, Tiberius Claudius tried to make the running that day and I don’t think it suited and I am inclined to forget that run. LTO he came 3.38L 4th and went into my tracker as a result. He was rather unlucky in running as he clipped his front legs near enough the beginning of the race and lost momentum and a few places. Furthermore, when coming for a challenge, he was checked on a few occasions and had to come wide and finished off strongly. That race was over 6f and a step back to 7f looks sure to suit. Although not many of the horses from LTO have run subsequently and the form of his last is a bit of an unknown as a result, he shaped very nicely and would have been much closer if he had a bit more luck in running. The form of his first start as a 3 year old is very strong and I think if he runs to that level of form he should be right bang there at the finish. Tiberius Claudius is Margason’s only runner tomorrow and the capable Seb Sanders takes the ride. Although the softer ground is a bit of an unknown I think that the step back up to 7f should suit also. His mark of 75 should be within his abilities on his handicap debut and with only 5 runs so far to date he is unexposed and certainly open to improvement. Although he is taking on horses older than 4 for the first time in his career, I am still confident with my selection. LTO winner Rough Rock is far to short in the market for me and I think that we may get a bigger price than 8s tomorrow and I hope Tiberius Claudius finishes first past the post
4.15 Yarmouth Gold Tobougg FC 20/1 Going to take a chance on the in form David Simcock’s 3 year old newcomer. This filly is quite well bred being a full sister to the very talented 6 time winner Sweet Lilly, who boasts a listed victory in to her repertoire. The sire was a Group 1 winner and she is out of half-sister to dams of Group 1 winning sprinters Goodricke and Pastoral Pursuits and the Dam won over 7f as a 2 year old. Although Simcock’s debutants normally come on for their first runs, I think he is more than capable of readying a horse first time out. This looks a really weak maiden on paper and should not take a lot of winning at all. Gold Tobougg certainly has the credentials on paper to take this if fully wound up on debut. William Buick is quite an interesting jockey booking as he doesn’t ride to much for the Simcock yard and when he does he generally gets rides in the important races. Market support would be very significant and I would be delighted if the 20/1 forecast price is available.
