The opening class 3 at Angers (10.50am) looks fairly competitive, but with Central Park West and Perseverants underperforming on their two starts this year and now with a bit to prove, this looks a good opportunity for Early Light to return to winning ways.
A winner over 6f at two, he ran just three times last year, but showed a really good level of ability when a slightly unlucky fifth in Listed company at ParisLongchamp last May.
He was returning from nearly 11 months off when a fast-finishing fourth at Chantilly last time and has been given plenty of time before this second run back.
I think a mile on a decent surface is exactly what he wants, and his turn of foot can come in very handy on this track and in today’s small field. It’s interesting that connections are keen to persevere with him as a four year old and hopefully he can reward their patience.
10.50am Angers – 2pts win Early Light @ 11/4 (all firms)
Later on the card, I’m not entirely convinced by the top ones in the market in the 1m3.5f maiden (1.42pm) and am taking a chance on Ultra Bright.
She ran better than the form suggests when down the field on debut at Pornichet in March (held up in rear, hampered on several occasions) and I thought she acquitted herself well in a much better race than this at Saint-Cloud last time.
The booking of Theo Bachelot is a positive, as is the form of Paul de Chevigny’s team, and after two runs this season she should be primed to run very well in a race that lacks strength in depth.
1.42pm Angers – 1pt win, 0.5pt place Ultra Bright @ 9-1 (all firms)
