Southwell preview: Lots to like about Lucky Mark
Published:
David Metcalf | January 14, 2016
Lucky Mark has a good record at Southwell and can take advantage of a slight ease in grade to land the 6f handicap on today’s card at the Nottinghamshire venue (13.30).
The John Balding trained gelding has won twice and been placed six times from 19 starts at the track, and in the first of those successes 14 months showed a good attitude to dig deep and beat Speightowns Kid by a short-head off a mark of 57.
The seven-year-old went on to score again over course and distance two starts later by 1 3/4 lengths off 60, and has since finished in the frame twice at the track off a rating of 65.
Lucky Mark is now able to race off 59, 1lb lower than when last successful, and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective.
The son of Moss Vale also hinted that his time was near on his penultimate outing when a cracking second to Speightowns Kid over course and distance when making his move earlier than ideal and, although Lucky mark could finish only fifth behind that rival when last seen in action, he was far from disgraced.
This also looks a weaker class 6 contest than those Lucky Mark has been competing in of late, so represents an excellent opportunity for him to get back on the scoresheet.
Punters can Lean On Pete
In the 1m handicap (14.00), Lean On Pete looks decent value to land the spoils.
The Ollie Pears trained seven-year-old scored at the track back in 2014 off a mark of 72 and was last successful at at Wolverhampton 11 months ago off a rating of 67.
Lean On Pete has also run well at this venue to finish in the frame off 75 and third off 77, and is now able to race off a mark of 70.
That gives the gelding every chance at the weights, and Lean On Pete hinted that his time was near when a solid third in an amateur riders’ contest at Wolverhampton two starts back.
Although the son of Oasis Dream could finish just 11th of 13 to Fern Owl at the same venue on his latest start, Lean On Pete got badly hampered when keeping on inside the last and was heavily eased and allowed to come home in his own time.
To me, Lean On Pete shaped far better than the bare result suggests and, granted a clear passage this afternoon, he looks weighted to run a huge race on the pick of his form.
Selections
12.30: Harwoods Star
13.00: Eleuthera
13.30: Lucky Mark (NAP)
14.00: Lean On Pete (NB)
14.30: Independent Rose
15.05: Bring On A Spinner
15.40: Masqueraded
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