The Perfect Call

Well, that didn’t quite rocket, did it? Rory Rocket was meant to be fizzing it down the fairway for us yesterday, but instead he sliced one straight into the punters’ rough. We move on – and today’s play looks a proper chance to get back on the front foot.

4:20 Bath – Perfect Your Craft (Nap)

The market’s latched on to Orionis, who’s been ticking along nicely for Willie Haggas – maiden win, Windsor win, then solid runs in stronger company at Salisbury and Ascot. Fair play, she’s going the right way, but the 13/8 on offer is proper short given she’s 3lb higher than when Ralph Beckett’s Favourite Memory did her last time. Add in a big question mark about her on anything softer than good, and suddenly that price looks a trap for mugs.

Now Beckett’s got another live one here in PERFECT YOUR CRAFT – and she’s my nap of the day. Two wins from three starts, both with a bit of juice in the ground, so the underfoot conditions are bang in her favour. Rossa Ryan was on board when she scored nicely at Donny in July, and stamina over this trip looks nailed on. She’s the type to just keep finding when others cry enough.

Interesting jockey shuffle too – Ryan jumps off to ride Song Brocade, who ran well at Donny but doesn’t scream stamina for this mile-and-a-half trip. She’s got soft-ground form, granted, but I’d say she’s more vulnerable than her stablemate.

As for the Irish raider Gangster Granny – aye, she’ll have backers, but I can’t shake the feeling Beckett’s got this race cornered. Between the pair, I’m firmly siding with Perfect Your Craft to do the business.

The Play: 2 pts win - Perfect Your Craft (Nap) – 5/2 with most firms