Pedigree points to smart turf performer improving on the all-weather

2.40 WolverhamptonBombardier British-Hopped Amber Beer Lincoln Trial Handicap | 1m½f | 4yo+ | ITV4/Sky

We are at that time of the all-weather season when some of the better turf performers start to appear and a classic conundrum presents itself. Do you take a chance on the smart turf horse who has yet to prove himself on the all-weather or stick with the established synthetics specialists?

Man Of The Night has the turf form. The Richard Hannon-trained son of Night Of Thunder was fourth in Listed company at Salisbury as a juvenile and proved he is back on the upgrade when a good second in a hot 1m2f handicap when last seen at Newmarket’s July meeting.

That was the last of three quick runs after the restart in June and there should be plenty more to come as a four-year-old, but will he be able to replicate that form on his all-weather debut?

His pedigree gives plenty of encouragement on that score and a quick look at the record of his sire’s progeny suggests there may even be improvement to come on a Tapeta surface.

Night Of Thunder’s offspring have 11 wins from 45 runs (24 per cent) on Tapeta in Britain and that improves to nine wins from 32 runs (28 per cent) when considering only those who competed at this track. A £1 bet on all of his representatives here yielded a profit of £18.50.

Shamardal is another sire whose progeny like it at Wolverhampton. His offspring have a 19 per cent strike-rate (91-472) at the track since the start of 2008 and he will be represented by Pinnata and Zwayyan. The return to this track can be considered a positive for both runners.

That might prove particularly true for Zwayyan, who was successful in this race two years ago on his only start at the track, which came off a mark of 97, and is well handicapped now 4lb lower.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Richard Hannon, trainer of Oh This Is Us and Man Of The Night
Oh This Is Us has had a long time off and tends to need runs to get fit, but he's in good form and Luke [Catton] takes off 7lb. He's an extremely good horse and it's great to get him back racing because he loves it. This is a trial for the Lincoln and hopefully Man Of The Night runs very well on his return. He's a horse with a lot of ability and I slightly feel we haven't seen the best of him for a while.

Karl Burke, trainer of Born To Be Alive
He won very well at Kempton last time and has come out of the race well. He goes there in really good form and has got every chance.

Marco Botti, trainer of Mission Boy
He's arrived with good form in Italy and has run two respectable races on the all-weather at Lingfield and Kempton. He might be a few pounds high in the handicap. The surface will suit him but he's drawn highest of all, which isn't ideal.

Oh This Is Us: tends to need a run to get fit

Jack Channon, assistant to Mick Channon, trainer of Milltown Star
We're very happy with him. His transition from three to four has gone very well. We've been happy with his work and he's ready to rock and roll.

Stuart Williams, trainer of The Gill Brothers, Pinnata and Al Muffrih
The Gill Brothers is coming back from a short break and is very well in himself. The draw [12] has not been kind to him again, which will probably make it difficult. Pinnata was fifth in the race last year, also returns from a break and is in good form. He can be a bit keen sometimes and the draw [11] is not helpful for him either. The distance is arguably a bit short for Al Muffrih, but he's been running well and has a good draw [1].
Reporting by Andrew Dietz

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