Baasha
Good morning! We are back in action this evening, with Baasha our first runner of the New Year in the mile and a quarter handicap at 7.55 at Chelmsford. It would be nice to think we could start off on the right foot, although I think it is fair to comment that Baasha has a little bit of a point to prove at present.
He had wind surgery midway through last year, as his initial runs at three had been quite deplorable. On his return from an extended break post-surgery, he started to thread together a few decent performances, notably when fourth at Kempton and third at Chelmsford in October/November. He was even perhaps a fraction unlucky on the latter occasion, and we thought he was dropping to a favourable mark and might go in soon.
Unfortunately the wheels have come off since, with two very poor efforts at Lingfield. It could be that the track doesn’t play to his strengths, and he hasn’t gelled with his rider on either occasion. He is just starting to get a little bit wise to the game too, so blinkers are going back on for the first time since his three-year-old debut.
He is now down to a rating of 61, which shouldn’t be out of reach, running over what we believe to be his best trip, and he is back at the track at which he produced his career best effort. He is a tricky ride that needs patience and cover, but Rab Havlin has got on very well with the horse previously. It is impossible to be confident based on his last two runs, but if he cannot be competitive under these conditions then we know that we are in trouble. I am keeping everything crossed and hoping for a good performance.
All the best,
Ed.