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Posted 2012-02-17 19:44:05  
TRINITY HOUSE TO REGAIN WINNING THREAD IN PRIX DU CAP

Trinity House has been knocking at the door and she could finally get back into the winner's box when she contests the Gr 3 Prix du Cap over 1400m at Kenilworth on Sunday.

Joey Ramsden's charge has tasted defeat in all four starts this season but she has emerged with plenty of credit, bearing in mind that those efforts included seconds to Princess Victoria (twice, including the Cape Fillies Guineas) and Covenant (Sceptre Stakes). That is not form to be sneezed at by any means. She failed to make the placings last time out in the Majorca Stakes but that run is readily forgiven as she raced handy from a poor draw and was entitled to tire late, especially as a mile really stretches her stamina and she met a hot field that day. In the circumstances, finishing seventh behind Ebony Flyer and a clutch of other smart fillies and mares was not a disgrace and she will enjoy a significant drop in class here, as well as finding the shorter trip much more to her liking. She's well drawn, practically slung in at the weights under the conditions of the race and will be piloted by Glen Hatt, so she really looks to have all the boxes ticked.

The main threat could well come from the Justin Snaith yard. Dance With Al finished ahead of Trinity House when fourth in the Majorca, her best effort in a while, but she is now 1.5kg worse off and her younger rival, as mentioned, was seriously disadvantaged by the combination of draw and distance that day. She may not find it easy to confirm the form here and she is rather inconsistent these days but she does have class on her side and if she gets it together on the day, she will make a bold bid.

Stablemate Fragrant Al beat the likes of Happy Archer and Covenant when winning the Tibouchina Stakes over 1450m last June and a repeat of that run will see her in with a big chance here. Seven furlongs is her absolute maximum, though, and she may be vulnerable late, especially if she uses front running tactics, which she often does. As with Dance With Al, she has to concede chunks of weight to Trinity House and may struggle to peg back her younger rival, but she has a great trifecta chance at her best.

Super Elegant never showed in the Majorca Stakes but was bound to find the opposition there too hot, especially from a bad draw. She once again starts from a wide barrier position and probably finds this trip on the sharp side these days. However, she is not short of ability, as she showed when flying up late to win the Victress Stakes three runs back. She had the benefit of a light weight that day and she once again finds herself pretty well handicapped. She is capable of dropping off them early on and producing a good finish and will find the opposition here easier to pick off than in the Majorca so she must have a chance of overcoming the draw and making the frame.

The above quartet would appear to boast the best of the feature race form on offer. Looking at the others, Mombasa and Money Surger are in top form of late but both are taking a jump in class. One can't fault their attitude, however, and, given further improvement, they could prove to be best of the rest and challenge for the placings.

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