ACONCAGUA MOUNTAIN is expected to put up a peak performance in the Top Odds Every Day With BetUK Handicap (5.30) at Wolverhampton today.
After out-of-the-frame efforts in an apprentice handicap at Newcastle and a similar event for amateurs at Catterick Bridge in September, Iain Jardine’s son of Requinto registered a personal best with a course-and-distance success in the middle of last month.
Ridden by Andrew Mullen, Aconcagua Mountain led inside the final furlong before sprinting away to hold Fair And Square by two and a quarter lengths.
Afterwards, Jardine told the stewards his charge had benefited from stronger handling, so it is no surprise to see Mullen on board once again.
The handicapper didn’t take the performance lying down – my selection is now 7lb higher on a British Horseracing Authority rating of 54 – but Aconcagua Mountain looks capable of making further progress and should follow up.
At Lingfield Park, OWER STARLIGHT gets the vote to atone for a luckless run over course and distance last Wednesday by landing the Spreadex Sports Get £50 In Bonuses Handicap (Div I) (1.43).
The Richard Hannon four-year-old found all sorts of trouble before returning ninth to Blue Collar Lad but is capable of scoring off his current mark if getting the breaks.
Monday's selections
LINGFIELD PARK
11.42 PRAISE OF SHADOWS
12.12 SHIKHOVA
12.42 HUBERTS DREAM
1.12 POP DANCER
1.42 OWER STARLIGHT (NB)
2.20 RIVER CHORUS
2.50 GOLD STANDARD
3.20 HOT DAY
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.30 ACONCAGUA MOUNTAIN (NAP)
6.00 PHERENIKOS
6.30 SUNDAYINMAY
7.00 PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL
7.30 COMPLIANT
8.00 CARACRISTI
8.30 VITESSE DU SON
DOUBLE: ACONCAGUA MOUNTAIN and OWER STARLIGHT
