Kempton Preview: Double Czech weighted to strike
Published:
Double Czech posted a cracking effort when runner-up last time out and holds major claims at the weights of going one better in the 1m handicap on today’s seven-race card at Kempton (15.55).
The Pat Chammings trained gelding went down all guns blazing when beaten just a short-head by Squire at Windsor eight days ago, showing a good attitude to battle all the way to the line.
That was the four-year-old’s first run for 175 days, and Double Czech is entitled to come on significantly for the outing.
It was an effort which suggested the son of Bushranger was well handicapped at present, and it’s no surprise to see connections turn Double Czech out quickly off the same mark of 66 before his revised rating kicks in.
Double Czech is due to to race off 69 in future engagements, so is 3lb “well-in” at the weights.
That is going to make him very tough to beat, and Double Czech is also just 1lb higher than when bolting up by 3 1/2 lengths at Chepstow nine months ago.
Trainer Amanda Perrett is in terrfic form at present and Bouncing Czech can provide her with another success in the 6f handicap that closes proceedings (17.25).
The Pulborough-based handler has been successful with three of her last six runners and also has a near 20 per cent strike rate at the track in the past 12 months.
In Bouncing Czech she has and unexposed sort who has shaped with bags of promise in his last two starts.
The three-year-old kept on well from off the pace after being slowly away on handicap debut to finish a 1 1/2 length runner-up to You’re Cool over course and distance, and than ran far better than the finishing position suggests last time out at Wolverhampton when fifth of 10 to Kyllach Me.
Bouncing Czech was again slowly away in the latter, but now gets fitted with the hood for the first time.
If that enables the son of Dandy Man to break on terms there is little doubt in my mind that Bouncing Czech is capable of winning a race of this nature.
Selections:
14.20: Picansort
14.50: Prefect
15.20: Italian Beauty
15.55: Double Czech (NAP)
16.25: Elizona
16.55: King Olav
17.25: Bouncing Czech (NB)