Leicester preview: Hedley Lemarr has plenty in his favour
Published:
David Metcalf | December 9, 2015
Hedley Lamarr was a big eye-catcher on seasonal reappearance and can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to land the 2m 4f handicap on todays’ card at Leicester (15.35).
The Jonjo O’Neill trained gelding only had two starts last season, and shaped with bags of promise on the first of those when chasing home Great Try at Bangor.
Hedley Lamarr showed plenty of pace to chase the leaders and stayed on well without being unduly knocked about to be beaten 2 1/4 lengths.
The winner is a useful sort rated 132, and Hedley Lamarr finished 15 lengths in front of the third home L’Aigle Royal who is now rated 130.
That is strong form, and Hedley Lamarr went on to open his account at Warwick in good style when overcoming a blunder three from home to score cosily by 3/4 of a length.
The five-year-old was then off the track for 251 days before reappearing in a warm handicap at Cheltenham last month and running far better than his finishing position suggests when sixth of 11 to Leave At Dawn.
Hedley Lamarr travelled powerfully on the heels of the leaders until getting outpaced three from home and weakening to be beaten 16 lengths.
It was an effort which suggested his mark of 128 was very exploitable, and judged on his run behind Great Try the son of Gold Well looks potentially ahead of the assessor.
Hedley Lamarr is also entitled to strip much fitter for the outing, and this is a weaker race than the one he competed in at Cheltenham.
Truckers Highway can take road to success
In the 2m handicap chase (15.05), Truckers Highway can make light of a 7lb penalty to follow-up his recent easy success.
The John Groucott trained six-year-old fell on chasing debut, but showed no ill effects for the tumble when making all to win unchallenged by eight lengths at Ludlow seven days ago.
It was a performance which suggested Truckers Highway may have more to offer, and it’s no surprise to see connections turn him out quickly under a penalty as he is due to race off 10lb higher in future races.
That means that Truckers Highway is 3lb well-in at the weights, and granted a clear round the gelding is going to be tough to beat.
Selections
13.05: Chic Theatre
13.35: Benenden
14.05: Announcement
14.35: Valid Point
15.05: Truckers Highway (NB)
15.35: Hedley Lamarr (NAP)
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