Leicester and Musselburgh previews: Syncopation weighted to strike

David Metcalf | August 25, 2016

Syncopation handicapped to open account at Leicester

Syncopation has a progressive profile and can cash-in on what looks a handy mark to open his account in the 7f nursery on today’s card at Leicester (16.10).

The Sylvester Kirk trained colt shaped with plenty of promise when seventh on debut at Ascot when running very green and backed that up with a solid seventh of 12 to the now 102-rated Lockheed in a warm maiden at Goodwood.

Syncopation travelled well in the latter until weakening a furlong from home to be beaten six lengths and was not knocked about once it was clear he would not be winning.

The two-year-old has since run very well to finish second to Galactic Prince at Salisbury when staying on strongly to be beaten two lengths and has been allotted and opening handicap mark of just 68 on the back of those efforts.

That looks lenient judged on Syncopation’s run behind Lockheed, and he looks to have been brought along steadily with handicaps in mind.

The son of Dark Angel has also been found a weak looking class 5 contest and this looks a golden opportunity for him to get off the mark.

Tom Sawyer ticks plenty of boxes

Tom Sawyer ran very well when runner-up last time out and looks decent value to go one better and land the spoils in the 6f handicap (16.45).

The Julie Camacho trained eight-year-old was last successful at Beverley 13 months ago when running on strongly to score by a neck off a mark of 71.

Tom Sawyer went on to finish a solid second at the same venue off 74 and is now able to race off just 64 having shaped really well in his last two starts in the hands of crack apprentice Adam McNamara.

In the last of those the gelding signalled that his time was near when second of 11 to Gypsy Major on the Tapeta at Newcastle when doing the best of those that raced up with the pace and sticking to the task well to be beaten three lengths.

The return to the turf looks sure to suit, and with McNamara in once again in the saddle and terrific value for his 5lb claim, Tom Sawyer looks weighted to take all the beating if taking another step forward.

Leicester top tips

14.10: Sidewinder
14.40: Aqua Ardens
15.10: Ariena
15.40: Saint Thomas
16.10: Syncopation (NAP)
16.45: Tom Sawyer (NB)

Ypres makes plenty of appeal at Musselburgh

Ypres returned to form last time out and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to get back to winning ways in the 5f handicap on today’s card at Musselburgh (17.05).

Jason Ward’s gelding was in good form last summer, posting three solid efforts to finish in the frame before scoring by a head on quick ground at Carlisle off a mark of 65.

The seven-year-old went on to finish a fair fifth off 69 at Beverley and also ran well off the same rating when a 1 3/4 length third at Redcar.

Ypres is now able to race off 60, 5lb lower than when last successful, and comes into the contest having posted a solid effort when a strong finishing third of 13 to Salvatore Fury at Catterick.

The winner has come out and won again since and the form of the race reads extremely well in the context of this contest.

Another plus is that the stable is in decent nick at present and with Danny Tudhope in the saddle Ypres looks to have everything in his favour to get back on the scoresheet.

Gworn has plenty going for him

Gworn has dropped to a dangerous mark and looks the answer to the 1m handicap (16.00).

The Michael Smith trained gelding was last successful at Ayr 12 months ago when staying on strongly to Mica Mika by a short-head off a mark of 81.

Gworn went on to finish runner-up at the same venue off 84 and has also posted some solid efforts this season to make the frame.

The five-year-old is now able to race off a reduced rating of 77, 4lb lower than when last victorious, and also has the services of promising apprentice Garry Whillans in the saddle who takes off another 5lb with his claim.

It makes the son Aussie Rules look weighted to take all the beating on the pick of his form over a trip which he boasts an impressive strike rate of just over 21 per cent.

Musselburgh best bets

14.00: Lucky Mistake
14.30: Our Charlie Brown
15.00: Ronya
15.30: Introductory
16.00: Gworn (NB)
16.30: Canford Belle
17.05: Ypres (NAP)

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