More to follow
4:45 Haydock
DORA MILAJE – 3/4 Pt EW @ 28/1 boost Lads/Hills, 25/1 generally
She is a lightly-raced four-year-old, who had some strong form in a short campaign last season, and she built on the promise of her runner-up effort in a competitive, big-field handicap at Wetherby when opening her account for the year over a mile and a quarter at this course in June.
There was a lot to like about that performance, looking like a horse who is ready for a higher level, travelling all over her rivals (arguably a little too keen) and overcoming trouble in-running to be cosily on top at the line, showing a very decent turn of foot.
Dora Milaje hasn’t managed to make her mark in Listed company the last twice, but she was ridden too aggressively back at a mile in soft ground when fourth to Caernarfon at Pontefract, and the horse who she forced the pace with ended up finishing tailed off in last position, so it wasn’t that bad of a run on the face of it. I’d fancy her to reverse that form now on much better ground provided she is ridden more patiently.
She also shaped as though still in top form back over a mile and a quarter at York last time, travelling into the race best of all, still on the bridle under two furlongs out, but finding less than looked likely. Dora Milaje again was a little keen in the first half of the race, and I think the return to a mile round here, where she looked so impressive earlier in the season, should be right up her street. Her breeding strongly suggests so
The ground will be perfect for her and I’d imagine Indelible and Strutting will likely go forward, so the pace should hopefully be sound, and I just think she doesn’t deserve to be the outsider of the field on how she’s been shaping and what she’s already achieved.