Outback Traveller up for the Victoria Cup
Published:
David Metcalf | May 7, 2016
Traveller looks tasty in the Victoria Cup
Outback Traveller was a big eye-catcher last time out and looks decent value to land the valuable 7f Victoria Cup at Ascot (16:15).
The gelding was generally disappointing last season following a fine reappearance when beaten just a head at Kempton off a mark of 105, but did run very well over course and distance in September when a 2 1/2 length fourth of 16 to Majestic Moon off 103.
Outback Traveller is now able to race off a reduced rating of 100, and there was lots to like about his first run for trainer Robert Cowell at Haydock last month after leaving Jeremy Noseda.
After being held-up at the rear travelling strongly, the five-year-old was denied a clear run when trying to make a move two from home before keeping on under tender handling to finish a 4 3/4 length seventh of 13 to Predominance.
Outback Traveller now meets the winer on 8lb better terms, and given how the race panned out that may well be enough to see him turn the tables.
Cowell also has a tremendous record with horses he inherits from other yards, and there is little doubt that Outback Traveller is weighted to run a huge race if building on his latest effort.
King Bolete can reign supreme on debut for Varian
King Bolete had some strong for to his name last season and can take advantage of what looks a handy mark to make winning debut for trainer Roger Varian in the 1m 4f handicap (14:30).
The gelding scored in good style at Newbury on his second start of 2015 when in the care of Luca Cumani, and backed that up with a cracking staying on 2 1/12 fourth of 17 to Space Age in the ultra-competitive class 2 King George V Stakes over course and distance at the Royal meeting off a rating of 89.
King Bolete was the far from disgraced when fourth to subsequent Group 3 winner Dartmouth in another class 2 affair, again over course and distance, and those races represent very strong form in the context of this lower grade class 3 contest.
The four-year-old also remains relatively lightly-raced an open to further improvement, and a mark of 90 should certainly not be beyond him.
Other plus are that King Bolete is clearly well-suited to the track and hails from a yard that has made a fine start to the season.
Selections
13.55: Reach High
14.30: King Bolete (NB)
15.05: Astronereus
15.40: Pandora
16.15: Outback Traveller (NAP)
16.45: The Big Lad
Related
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