Chepstow and Goodwood previews: Golden chance for Hunter
Published:
David Metcalf | June 10, 2016
Hunter can strike Gold at Chepstow
Gold Hunter caught the eye last time out and looks decent value to score an overdue success in the 7f handicap on this evening’s card at Chepstow (20.00).
The gelding has some smart form to his name in 3013 when trained by Saeed bin Suroor, winning his maiden by by six lengths before going on to be placed in competitive class 2 handicaps off makes of 92 and 93.
Gold Hunter was then off the track for 540 days before joining trainer Steve Luke and showed he retained plenty of ability on in finishing a 2 1/4 length third to Flag War at Wolverhampton last April off a mark of 89.
The six-year-old also ran well when beaten just a neck at Epsom in a class 4 contest off 75 and is now able to race in this class 5 affair off a career-low rating of 73.
That gives Gold Hunter major claims from a handicapping perspective, and he comes into the race on the back of an excellent 2 3/4 length fifth of 15 to Slemy at Wetherby when unlucky not to finish closer after being denied a clear run.
If building on that, the son of Invincible Spirit looks weighted to take all the beating.
Course specialist Lady Bayside weighted to go in again
Lady Bayside has an excellent record at the track and can further enhance it with success in the 1m handicap (19.30).
The Malcolm Saunders trained mare is a six time winner at the Welsh venue, and has also finished in the frame on six occasions.
In the last of those successes two starts back, Lady Bayside made virtually all and ran on gamely when pressed to find extra near the finish and score by 1 1/4 lengths.
Although now 3lb higher in the weights, Lady Bayside’s previous success had come off a rating of 68 so a revised mark of 64 still makes her well-treated on the pick of her form.
Connections have also offset the rise by securing the services of promising apprentice Josephine Gordon, and taking her 5lb claim into account Lady Bayside looks handicapped to go in again.
Chepstow selections
17.50: Logi
18.20: Dubka
18.55: Shalimah
19.30: Lady Bayside (NB)
20.00: Gold Hunter (NAP)
20.35: Mr Christopher
21.10: Prince Of Islay
Nisser looks glorious at Goodwood
Niseer was a big eye-catcher last time out and can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to get back to winning ways in the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Goodwood (21.00).
The Richard Hannon trained colt shaped really when on his racecourse debut at Newmarket when stumbling at the start before showing plenty of pace to chase the leaders and weakening late on to finish a 3 1/2 length third to Shalaa.
Shalaa went on to develop into one of the best juveniles seen last season, winning two Group 2 contests and a brace of Group 1s to be rated 121.
That is very strong form, and Nisser was then far from disgraced next time up when fourth at Ascot before opening his account in terrific style at Lingfield.
The three-year-old ran on strongly to easily beat Dream Destination by 3 3/4 lengths, and the runner-up has won since and finished runner-up in a Group 3 to be rated 93 on the turf and 100 on the all-weather.
Judged on those runs, Nisser looks potentially well-treated off a mark of 83 and he shaped as if ahead of it when an unlucky third of 13 at Haydock last month when denied a clear run before keeping on to be beaten just over two lengths.
That run suggested his time was near, and this looks a good chance for Nisser to get back on the scoresheet.
Al Khafji can deliver under Dettori
In the 1m 4f handicap (19.50), Al Khafki can build on a promising reappearance run to land the spoils in the hands of Frankie Dettori.
The Luca Cumani trained gelding showed steady improvement in four runs as a juvenile and created a good impression when rounding off the campaign with a smooth victory on handicap debut over 7f at Lingfield.
After being held-up travelling strongly, Al Khafji was switched right to deliver a challenge a furlong from home and showed a smart turn of foot to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths.
It was a performance which suggested the son of New Approach needed keeping firmly onside, and although only fourth on return to action at Kempton when sent off favourite Al Khafji looked ring-rusty and was far from disgraced.
With that run under his belt, the three-year-old should now be spot on to do himself justice.
Goodwood selections
18.10: Reign On
18.45: Easy Tiger
19.20: Paling
19.50: Al Khafji (NB)
20.25: Van Dyke
21.00: Nisser (NAP)
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