3.30 Beverley
Christmas Light 16/1
This 5 year old mare looks exactly the type of horse that new trainer Brian Ellison will excel with and after her recent reappearance run I think she could be primed for a big run today. Previously with David O'Meara, in the height of her career she put in some good performances off marks of 77 and 78 in 2010 with the last of her two career wins coming off a mark of 68 last year at Redcar. She's now back down to a mark of 65 and when taking into account her previous efforts and that she is now 3lb below her last winning mark I think she looks well enough weighted to strike. 3 days ago she made her reappearance run after a 9 month break on heavy ground that wouldn't have suited too much and I thought she put in a very encouraging effort to finish a 4.25L beaten 5th in a Class 5 handicap. She's always needed a run to get her back up to speed and I was more than satisfied with her first run for her new trainer. The form of that race looks rather strong with the 2nd Master of Dance winning well today eased in grade off the same mark. Moreover, the winner Collateral Damage is a very well handicapped horse who I am sure will run up a sequence now securing his first win in quite a while.
Although upped in class today off the same mark, I think Christmas Light will come on a lot for her latest effort and should strip fitter today. Furthermore, the current good ground will suit much more and should bring about further improvement. Given Beverley is certainly a venue where course form is very important, her 1L and 2.75L defeats at the track in her two previous visits definitely demonstrate she goes well enough at the track. Graham Lee is an interesting booking for the yard and it will represent only his 3rd ride for Ellison (his 2nd will come in the 2.30) and he has made an extremely good transition to flat racing recently. I'm convinced Ellison will be able to revitalise her career which he has been so adept at doing with similar horses who had lost their way. I think its also interesting that her previous owner hasn't sold her and she obviously thinks there is more to come from her. With a good draw in stall 4, if this race doesn't come too soon after her first start in 9 months then I envisage a big run at a big price and hopefully she can resume winning ways to continue the good form of her stable.
I'll also be playing the RFC with fellow 16/1 shot Stylistickhill who hails from the in form Scott Dixon yard. An unexposed 4 year old, this filly doesn't like her mark of 60 is the ceiling and she too should improve for her recent reappearance run. Mirco Demero takes the ride (his only at the track) and is currently 1-1 for the yard.
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