Unless there is a hang-up I am unaware of, it is hard to look further than Holy Land for the 1600m Independence Trophy at Borrowdale Park this Sunday.

The 8-year-old Ideal World (USA) gelding is a multiple winner of 1600m events, including the Independence Trophy, and with 56 kgs on his back he should be hard to beat. He will be receiving weight from Jet Mirage and Brianna, but perhaps Bugatti Blue (55kgs) and Wantage (54kgs) should be considered.

Both finished behind Holy Land in the 1600m Ipi Tombe Stakes (L) in February 2023 at level weights.  Wantage was a very close second while Bugatti Blue (third) was much further back.

Of course, Jet Mirage and Brianna are not without a prayer.  Jet Mirage, Brianna and Holy Land finished very close together in the recent 2024 Ipi Tombe Stakes – but the turnaround in weights on Sunday worries me.

Photograph by Zimbabwe Equine News: Holy Land and Wantage have had tight tussles before…