Thomas Brown weighted to shine in Sodexo Gold Cup at Ascot
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Thomas Brown each-way ticks boxes among 2016 Sodexo Gold Cup tips
Backing Thomas Brown each-way looks cracking value at the current 10/1 on offer with Coral for the 2016 renewal of the 2m 7f Sodexo Gold Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot on Saturday (15:35).
The Harry Fry trained gelding was a useful hurdler who did well over fences last season, winning two of his six starts. In the first of those, Thomas Brown registered a facile nine-length success over 2m 1f at this venue.
This seven-year-old backed that up with a solid second to Le Mercurey in a Grade 2 contest over half-a-mile more at the track.
Thomas Brown then got back to winning ways over 3m at Doncaster, when forging clear to beat Vintage Vinnie by 10 lengths off an official rating of 138.
Solid efforts at Cheltenham and Aintree
Vintage Vinnie, who was rated 141 going into the latter, has won twice this season and the pair pulled 45 lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look.
Thomas Brown then unseated next time out at Kempton, before running a solid race to finish seventh of 20 to Ballyalton in the Close Brothers Novices’ Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival off a mark of 140.
This son of Sir Harry Lewis was also far from disgraced on his final start of the campaign when fourth of 14 to Maggio at Aintree off 139. Thomas Brown wasn’t helped by making some costly errors and now returns to action off a reduced rating of 137.
That looks very exploitable on the pick of his form, especially as Thomas Brown was rated as high as 145 over hurdles.
Good record fresh
The selection also has a good record fresh, winning first time out in both the last two seasons. Thomas Brown clearly handles the track well too and is versatile as regards ground.
Other pluses are that he hails from a yard that is in good form at present, boasting a terrific strike rate of just over 26 per cent with its runners at Ascot in the past 12 months.
He also looks the type who should have more to offer this season, so everything looks in place for a huge run. Take us up on Thomas Brown each-way in the 2016 Sodexo Gold Cup.
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