Chepstow preview: Man Of Music ready to call the tune

Man Of Music caught the eye last time out and looks the answer to the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Chepstow (18.40) now dropped back in trip.

The Tony Carroll trained gelding showed little in three quick runs last season but looked to be a handicap project in the making.

That view was confirmed when Man Of Music put in a much improved display on debut in that sphere when a close up fifth of 12 in a 1m contest at Lingfield three weeks ago.

After being held-up in mid-division, the son of Piccolo made good headway three from home and took up the running at the furlong marker until being unable to find any extra inside the last to be beaten just 1 3/4 lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Man Of Music was ahead of his current mark of 47, and the four-year-old is bred to appreciate the drop back to sprinting.

With further improvement looking assured, this looks a nice opportunity for Man Of Music to open his account.

Lady Bayside has a good record at the track and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 1m handicap (19.40).

The Malcolm Saunders trained mare has was three times at the Welsh venue, and two of those successes have come over this evening’s trip.

Although the seven-year-old has not been at her best in three starts this season, her handicap mark has dropped as a result and she is now able to race off 68 having started the campaign on 72.

That is 1lb lower than when last successful in a 1m contest at Bath on her final start of 2014, and gives the daughter of Ishiguru every chance at the weights on the pick of her form.

Riptide bounced back to form when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the spoils in the 2m handicap (20.10).

The nine-year-old, who is trained by Michael Scudamore, is a moody but useful sort when on a going day as he showed when beating Annaluna by 1/2 a length at Ffos Las last July off a mark of 73.

Riptide is now able to race off 2lb lower, and drops down into class 5 company having signalled that his time was near when chasing home See And Be Seen in a 2m 2f class 4 contest at Pontefract nine days ago.

Selections:
18.10: Tasleet
18.40: Man Of Music (NAP)
19.10: Arc Cara
19.40: Lady Bayside (NB)
20.10: Riptide
20.40: Nora Batty
21.10: Petrify