EL HABEEB 8.20 Wolverhampton at 4/7

 Racing League On Sky Sports Racing Novice Stakes (Class 5) 1m4f

 COMPOSITE RATINGS

Trainer Form: 5-16 for 31%          (10)  
National average: 17%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 21%             (10)                                 
OR & RPR: 91 & 97                   (10)  
Distance: 1m4f                      (10)                         
Optimum Ground: Good                (10)
Jockey: P K McDonald                (10)
National Average: 12%               (10)
Course Strike Rate: 11%             (10)                                        
Trainer/Jockey Combo:               (NA)           
Total:                              (90)

Alt: Cadmus

Supplemented for the Epsom Derby

El Habeeb will be very hard to beat in this Class 5 Novice at Wolverhampton given his previous 2 runs. This 3yo Al Rifai colt was obviously held in some regard when beaten 8l when fifth in a Listed race on debut. He was then ambitiously supplemented for the Epsom Derby at a cost of £75,000 where he was far from disgraced at massive odds, making some late progress from well off the pace. He promised at that point to win next time out if placed at a more sensible level. 

Touched off at Chester in a Class 3

His third race was in a Class 3 Maiden at Chester having switched stables and it looked a great opportunity for him. However, the race wasn't run to suit and he was just run out of it after leading on the home turn. It looked as if he needed a stiffer test given his long-term aim was the St Leger. Trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy has now had the colt a little longer and he will strip fit tomorrow in this lowly Class 5 Novice where he has been drawn in stall 1.

Trainer form

Since he started training in November 2020 the trainer has made the most fabulous start to his career with 72-415 for a 17% national average. At Wolverhampton he shows 10-47 for 21% (-10.75) and 4-18 for 22% (-3.38) with his 3yos. P J McDonald rides and so far 0-5 for the trainer.

 Contender

Cadmus represents a reputable stable and is respected but on his debut at Sandown he took an age to find his stride but he was closing right down on the placed horses near the finish. It is possible Wolverhampton might not suit given his debut run (drawn 4 of 4), but with winners in his pedigree he is bound to step forward.

 Timeform

    EL HABEEB has shown more than enough to suggest a race of this nature is within reach and this looks a good opportunity for him to get off the mark. Cadmus, who shaped with promise on debut at Sandown, can give him most to think about.

Value

The 4/7 looks a fair price given what he has achieved and he really should break his Maiden tag tomorrow. A good paddock should see the colt start at 4/9, hard to imagine Cadmus running a RPR in the high 90s.

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PACAFI RESULTS for 2022.