Power & The Glory

The Guvnor’s Tip:

If you’re looking for a horse with the class, the pedigree, and the potential to make amends today, Powerful Glory is the one to keep onside in the 15:38 at Beverley. Already a proven performer at Group level, he’s got both the ability and the temperament to handle what this race will throw at him.

His breakthrough moment came last year when he stormed home on debut at Pontefract before stepping straight into Group 2 company for the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. That was a serious test on heavy ground, but he dug deep and showed the grit of a top-class colt, fending off La Bellota by a neck. It wasn’t a straightforward ride, but that victory underlined his class: a horse who has the raw speed for quick ground but also the resolution to tough it out when conditions get testing.

Of course, not everything has gone perfectly since then. His seasonal return in the Sandy Lane at Haydock was underwhelming, and he looked in need of the run. Since then he’s undergone a wind operation, which often takes time to show results, and connections have been cautious about how soft the ground is likely to ride today. Trainer Richard Fahey has hinted that firmer conditions would play more to his strengths, so that’s a note of caution.

But today’s assignment looks like the perfect opportunity to get him back on track. The drop back to five furlongs should sharpen him up and allow him to travel more sweetly, while the overall level of opposition doesn’t look as deep as some of the company he’s kept before. Democracy Dilemma is probably the danger if allowed to dictate from the front, while Coto De Caza could also run well, but neither bring Mill Reef-level form to the table. This is also very much a prep run for bigger targets, with Champions Day at Ascot firmly on the horizon, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be primed to give a strong account of himself here.

All in all, Powerful Glory has the back-class to dominate this field if anywhere near his best. The Beverley contest gives him a chance to regain confidence, and if he settles into a rhythm, he looks a likely contender for the win. At the very least, an each-way play looks a sensible angle, but don’t be surprised if he shows his true colours and gets his head in front.

The Guvnor says: don’t overthink it, lads — Powerful Glory’s the class act here. Although there is only 5 runners The guvnor suggests: 1 point win and 1 point place on the Betfair Exchange SP (BSP) 18+ Always Bet Responsibly