Today’s horse racing preview comes from Nottingham and Kempton racecourses.
14.15 Nottingham – Lady Cecil Handicap (5f)
Gracious John (106)
Perfect Pasture (105)
Atletico (98)
David Evans Gracious John returns to the haunt that saw him land this race last year when beating Perfect Pasture by half a length when getting 10lb from his rival, this year he comes into this off just 98 and is only in receipt of 9lb, 1lb might not seem like a lot but it’s equivalent to half a length if needed to reverse that form.
Both have come into this off the back of wins, Gracious John winning three weeks ago at Leicester when over turning 106 rated Just Glamorous, and has only been penalised 2lb, Perfect Pasture won at Doncaster when beating 101 rated Flying Pursuit, however that was over 6f. Today’s optimum trip at this level has seen him just 1-9 as to Gracious John whose form is not much better, however he has been floating around marks of 106-110 for a while so to be dropped to just 98, looks best of the two to land this race. Perfect Pasture drops back to 5f for the first time since this race last year.
One that could upset the applecart if the two inform entrants lose their way is Roger Varian’s Atletico, he has been beaten by Tomily this year to two and a quarter lengths at Doncaster last time out, the only problem he was drawn totally out of the race despite staying on in the closing stages, he is still 9lb higher than when winning his sole turf race at Windsor back in July.
GRACIOUS JOHN : 2pt Win @ 4/1 (BOG)
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18.10 Kempton – 32Red.com Nursery (7f)
Motown Mick (82)
Lady of Aran (78)
Richard Hannon books the services of Timmy Murphy this evening on Motown Mick, this son of Intikhab was last seen finishing second to Di Fede by the smallest of margins, back in fifth was Finsbury Park to twelve lengths and even at these weights it’s hard to see that reversed.
Main danger I feel will come from Charlie Fellowes Lady of Aran, she had plenty in hand when beating her opponents over course and distance five weeks ago and the daughter of Sir Prancealot should have no problems here again to be involved under PJ McDonald.
MOTOWN MICK : 2pt Win @ 11/4 (BOG)