Three little words - Nearest at finish - A winner in waiting

Three little words: are not commonly associated with horse racing parlance but the term 'Nearest at finish' for me are three little words I love to see in a horses comments in running. On this occasion for The Actuary Horse Racing Tips subscribers we were a little premature as the comment was applied after the race of our selection Warbond in Kempton Parks opener.

As the race in question was an Apprentice Handicap I am sure some would question my judgement in the choice of race, but over the years this has been a happy hunting ground.

Warbond, rarely races prominently and with only 1 win from 46 starts and a trainer, jockey combination of Michael Madgwick and Ryan While (3) was unlikely to set the pulse racing, but with its only win coming from last nights C&D of a mark of 53, I had great expectations.

In hindsight perhaps being drawn out in the car park in stall 14 in a 14 runner handicap was a tall ask but I felt that for a horse that tends to be held-up, it would find itself at the rear of the field regardless of the draw. What was eye catching was the ground made up once turning into the straight. Warbond cut back a deficit of around 14 lengths to less than a 'never nearer' (another of my favourite write up comments) 4 lengths at the line.

Although Warbond spoilt the party last night in preceding two winners from our three selections, now racing of a mark of 56, I will be keen to see Warbond back over this trip in a 0-60 at Kempton Park, probably the only AWT with a straight long enough for it to get fully wound up and believe that this is a winner in waiting.