Only eight runners are carded to contest Race 5 on Thursday 3 February at the Vaal, but it does seem the most competitive event of the day and a case can be made for most to take the honours.
All the equines contesting this Class B MR96 Handicap over 1800m have experience higher up in class, with some even having contested Graded races in their careers.
First up is Imperial Master, trained by Stuart Pettigrew. Judged on current form this four-year-old gelding seems pitch perfect to land his third career win. Beaten less than a length in both his last two starts, he would be a very deserving winner.
Since the start of the season, he has been steadily progressing, giving his all in every attempt. He had excuses in his penultimate having been bumped at the start, but nevertheless made up the lost ground. If he has a clear run when it matters, he should take the chequered flag.
Sell High, trained by Dorrie Sham, is the next with serious claims. He is having his third run after a rest so should technically be at a peak. With three wins and four places from eight attempts over this distance, the six-year-old can be considered somewhat of an 1800m specialist.
Trainer Paul Peter has tasked apprentice jockey Kaidan Brewer to ride Flying Bull, a move which makes this Soft Falling Rain gelding highly competitive.
Flying Bull has been knocking hard since exiting the maidens at his fourth attempt, but really caught the eye last time out when he was bumped up in class. His third-place finish was commendable, considering the quality of the field. With only 48kg on his back thanks to the apprentice’s 4kg claim, he must be considered a serious contender.
Top-weighted Savannah Storm has had four shots at Graded glory, albeit without success. It does, however, make this gelding a very experienced sort, despite only 13 runs to his name.
His biggest drawback seems to have been his Merit Rating, which was raised an incredible 30 points to 106 after three consecutive wins last season, most notably in the Listed Drum Star Handicap in March last year.
Since then, he has never managed to be consistently competitive, which is actually a shame as he did beat horses like Cornish Pomodoro and Puerto Manzano before the big MR increase.
Others with claims include Oyster King and Raiseahallelujah.
Clive Robinson
