Richard Birch's play of the day at Redcar

Perfidia

5.30 Redcar

There may be 16 runners declared for Redcar’s concluding 6f handicap (5.30) but it’s hard to see beyond Perfidia.

The Tim Easterby-trained three-year-old was a big eyecatcher on his seasonal reappearance at Pontefract last Monday and an official mark of 55 clearly underestimates him.

The son of Dandy Man didn’t always look entirely straightforward during an eight-race juvenile campaign in 2024, but he shaped with promise on several occasions. He graduated to nurseries on 62 and went close off 5lb lower at Thirsk in September when third to Magic Love.

Gelded last autumn, Perfidia smacked of one to follow in the short to medium term when finishing with a real flourish at Pontefract. Held up towards the back of the 12-strong field, my selection wasn’t best placed when he began his charge over a furlong out.

The heavily backed 6-4 favourite City Captain enjoyed first run but managed to hold Perfidia’s late assault by only a head. Perfidia was in front two strides after the line and didn’t appear to have a hard race.

Easterby’s runners usually come on for their first run at this time of year and it’s reasonable to expect a leaner and meaner Perfidia at Redcar.

He often left the impression as a two-year-old that he had a good engine, and could be one to rack up several successes over the coming weeks.

One of his best performances came when third to Scatter Penny at Nottingham on ground officially described as good to firm, so there should be no issues with underfoot conditions.

Perfidia17:30 Redcar

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Jky: David Allan Tnr: Tim Easterby

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Richard Birch with three Easter Monday tips - including one who 'could rack up several successes over the coming weeks'  

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