Windsor and Wolverhampton previews: King Of Naples can reign supreme

David Metcalf | 20.06.2016

David Metcalf | June 20, 2016

King Of Naples to rule at Windsor

King Of Naples has proven form on soft ground and looks the answer to the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Windsor (19.20).

The James Fanshawe trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise in his first two starts before opening his account with a wide margin success in a 7f maiden at Redcar run on testing conditions.

King Of Naples showed plenty of pace to chase the leaders before taking up the running at the furlong marker and stretching effortlessly clear to win by nine lengths.

The three-year-old then shaped better than the result suggests when fifth on handicap debut over 7f at Haydock when last seen in action, racing far too keenly in the early stages before weakening late on to be beaten 2 1/2 lengths.

Judged on that effort the drop back to 6f will hold no fears, and having been quickly dropped 1lb to a rating of 89 King Of Naples looks weighted to take all the beating in what is a weak class 3 contest for the grade.

Potternello and SDS a potent combination

Greenham1

In the 5f handicap (20.50), Potternello can take advantage of a drop in the weights to get back on the scoresheet.

The Mick Channon trained four-year-old was last successful on heavy ground at Epsom when staying on strongly to draw clear and score by 2 1/4 lengths off a mark of 64.

Potternello is now able to race off 3lb lower, and is reunited with Silvestre De Sousa who was on board that day.

It gives the four-year-old major claims at the weights, and although Potternello has failed to trouble the judge in five starts this season she has shaped better than the bare result suggests on the last two of those.

Connections are also refitting Potternello with the visor she wore when winning at Epsom, and with testing underfoot conditions holding no fears everything looks in place for a huge run.

Windsor selections

17.50: Winning Ways
18.20: Lolwah
18.50: Medburn Dream
19.20: King of Naples (NAP)
19.50: Indulged
20.20: Molten Gold
20.50: Potternello (NB)

Usain fancied to bolt up at Wolverhampton

What Usain has an excellent record at Wolverhampton and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m handicap on this evening’s card at the Midlands venue (21.10).

The gelding notched three successes at the track when trained by Geoff Oldroyd, with the last of those coming 12 months ago off a mark of 59.

What Usain is now able to race off just 3lb higher and returns to action following a break having joined David O’Meara.

O’Meara is a master at improving horses that come into his care, and appears to have found a weak class 6 contest for What Usain to make his debut for him.

Other pluses are that four-year-old also remains relatively lightly-raced and has a 60 per cent strike rate on the artificial services.

What Usain also looks on a very workable mark and clearly relishes the Tapeta surface.

Horse Racing - Wolverhampton Racecourse

Sweet on the chances of Zed Candy Girl

In the 7f handicap (20.10), Zed Candy Girl looks nicely treated on the pick of her form and decent value to land the spoils.

The Mark Loughnane trained mare is a three-time winner at the track, with the last of those successes coming 12 months ago over this evening’s trip off a mark of 62.

Zed Candy Girl has since posted a series of solid efforts, and took advantage of a drop in the weights to get back on the scoresheet at Kempton five starts back off 55.

Although now 3lb higher in the weights, Zed Candy Girl has shown that she can be competitive off her revised rating and remains 4lb lower than when last scoring at this venue.

The six-year-old has also bagged a good draw in stall one and has the services in the saddle Paddy Bradley who partnered her to victory at Kempton and takes off a handy 7lb with his claim.