US racing tips: Tom Collins can't see last-time-out winner losing at Tampa

Afficionado
6.02 Gulfstream Park
1pt win

Felix The Fox
7.58 Tampa Bay Downs
3pts win

Formerly trained by John Gosden, So High is the most interesting runner at Tampa Bay Downs on Wednesday evening.

The son of Nathaniel recorded one victory and two places from four starts when he was based in Newmarket, but given he is owned by George Strawbridge and has a US-based dam, it isn't surprising to see that he has been switched stateside early in his career.

He clearly has talent but looked a bit one-paced in Britain as well as having a very high head carriage, and I just can't support him on his US debut in this $20,000 allowance (7.58) contest.

I have no doubt that he will land a few races for new trainer Jonathan Thomas and the application of blinkers will help, but he tackles a good field here, which is headed by Felix The Fox.

A $475,000 yearling purchase, Felix The Fox was one of the most frustrating talented maidens in the country (six seconds from 12 starts) before breaking his duck in fine fashion at this venue 16 days ago.

The son of Tapit, who has always shown plenty in the mornings, seemed to relish the switch to Tampa after a number of runs in top company in New York and at Gulfstream when he hacked up by seven-and-a-quarter lengths over this 1m½f trip.

He appeared to beat a couple of useful Chad Brown-trained runners that day and a repeat effort should see him follow up despite the sharp rise in class. Felix The Fox has plenty of talent and is drawn well in gate three.

They also resume racing over at Gulfstream Park with a competitive ten-race card, the most exciting contest being the $35,000 claimer (6.02).

Recent winner Days Of Spring sets the standard under Hector Berrios, but the French-trained Afficionado may prove to be a cut above if she has fully acclimatised and improved from her debut sixth in the US.

Formerly trained by Jean-Claude Rouget, Afficionado broke her maiden at the third time of asking at Deauville last year in glittering fashion before following up in a conditions contest at Craon a month later.

She was pitted against subsequent French 1,000 Guineas winner Dream Will Do on her final start of the campaign before her switch to the US.

Now with Patrick Biancone, Afficionado struggled to make an impression on debut last month in a much hotter race than this. She was held up early and appeared to be making headway under limited riding, only to be checked at a crucial point and consequently flattening out.

That wasn't a bad effort, albeit she didn't feature at the business end, and much better is expected this time around.

Place bets on international races with the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker accounts in the Accounts tab and then click cards to view the racecards