This one interests me more now than it did last night because the actual market has given us a considerably better price than the forecast.
Sharp Move has only raced three times. He improved enormously from his debut to win a Newcastle maiden by seven lengths over 1m2f, then returned from a lengthy break at Southwell last month and finished eighth over 1m4f.
I’m prepared to forgive that comeback.
He was returning from a significant absence, the 1m4f may have stretched him, and William Haggas now immediately drops him back to 1m2f for his handicap debut from OR80.
That is potentially a very exploitable mark if his Newcastle performance is representative of his actual ability.
The other significant factor is William Buick taking the ride. This looks much more like a horse being brought along steadily than one whose limitations have already been exposed.
There are dangers everywhere — Sovereign View has actually been backed into around 3/1, Galyx is 10/3 and Oh Yes You Do around 10/3. Sporting Life’s current race assessment prefers Sovereign View.
But that movement has pushed Sharp Move all the way to 11/2, despite him being the least exposed horse among the principals.
At 3/1, which was the forecast, I wouldn’t have added him.
At 11/2, I will.