Southwell and Taunton previews: Sweet on the chances of Candy

David Metcalf | 02.02.2016

David Metcalf | February 2, 2016

Zed Candy Girl can zoom to success at Southwell

Zed Candy Girl looks decent value to cash-in on a drop in the weights and provide red-hot trainer Mark Loughnane with another winner in the 7f handicap at Southwell today (16.30).

Loughnane has saddled eight winners from his last 24 runners for an incredible strike rate of 33 per cent, and in Zed Candy Girl has a mare that has become dangerously well-treated on the pick of her form.

The six-year-old is on a losing run of 14 having not scored since landing g a 7f contest at Wolverhampton last June off a mark of 62.

However, Zed Candy Girl has run well on numerous occasions and finished in the frame in two of her last three starts.

The six-year-old also ran well last time out when fourth to National Service at Wolverhampton, and the winner has come out and won since to give the form a solid look.

Zed Candy Girl has since been dropped another 1lb by the assessor, and is now able to race off a mark of just 56.

That is 6lb lower than when last successful, and gives the daughter of Sakhee’s Secret major claims from a handicapping perspective.

Colourbearer ready to cut a dash

Horse Racing - Southwell Racecourse

In the 6f handicap (14.30), Colourbearer looks weighted to go well at a big price.

The Charlie Wallis trained gelding was in terrific form last spring when rattling up a hat-trick, winning twice over course and distance off marks of 64 and 69 before scoring at Lingfield off 75.

Colourbearer has failed to trouble the judge in eight subsequent outings, but as a result the nine-year-old is now able to race off a reduced rating just 67.

That is 8lb lower than when last victorious, and gives Colourbearer a big shout at the weights.

Although Colourbearer has not been at his best in two starts after 103 days on the sidelines, those runs have been on the polytrack at Chelmsford and Lingfield and the return to the fibresand surface is likely to see him in a far better light.

Colourbearer is a three-time winner on it, and another plus is that there are plenty of trailblazers in the field, which should ensure the veteran gets the strong gallop he needs to be seen to best effect.

Southwell selections

14.00: Kay Sera
14.30: Colourbearer (NB)
15.00: Patriotic
15.30: Playful Dude
16.00: Deep Resolve
16.30: Zed Candy Girl (NAP)

Red can prove the Master at Taunton

David Pipe Stable Tour

Master Red can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to make a winning debut for trainer David Pipe in the 2m handicap hurdle at Taunton today (15.45).

The gelding looked a smart prospect in 2013/14 when trained by Donald McCain, scoring twice in bumpers before going on to land novice hurdles at Newcastle and Wetherby.

In the last of those successes, Master Red easily beat Fantasy King by nine lengths off an official rating of 128.

The seven-year-old is now able to race off 4lb lower, and that makes Master Red look potentially very well-treated.

Pipe also has a knack of getting improvement out of horses joining his yard from other trainers and, although Master Red has often been left down by his jumping, the son of Red Club remains relatively lightly raced and unexposed.

Newbury Thursday

Master Red does have an absence of 444 days to overcome, but fitness is unlikely to be an issue given connections and, with Tom Scudamore in the saddle, everything points to a huge run.

Glendermot primed to open account

Glendermot ran really well when runner-up last time out and can go one better to open his account in the 2m 7f handicap hurdle that opens proceedings (14.15).

The Paul Cowely trained seven-year-old was well held in three runs in novice hurdle, but has shown improved form in his last two starts since going down the handicap route.

After finishing an eye-catching fourth at Southwell, Glendermot posted a career-best effort when chasing home Dandy Duke at Huntingdon last month.

Although no match for the easy 11 length winner, the gelding stuck to the task well and it was an effort which suggested his current mark of 94 was exploitable.

The son of Portrait Gallery is clearly going the right way and, in a race lacking any real strength in depth, Glendermot looks to have been found a nice opportunity to bag a first success under rules.