Bath and Kempton previews: Pacharana to collect for in-form Luca
Published:
David Metcalf | June 22, 2016
Pacharana can score on handicap debut at Bath
Trainer Luca Cumani has begun to hit top gear and Pacharana can provide him with another winner in the 1m 3f handicap on this evening’s card at Bath (18:40).
The Newmarket handler has saddled four winners from his last 10 runners after making a quite start to the season and has an overall strike rate of just over 25 per cent at the venue.
Pacharana will be his first runner at the track in over two years, and looks a potential improver now going down the handicap route.
The filly has shaped with promise in three maiden runs over a seven month period, most recently when a tenderly handled eighth on return to action at Haydock last month over 1m.
Pacharana has been allotted a lowly opening handicap mark of 58 on the back of that effort, and is bred to be much better than that.
The daughter of Oasis Dream is a sister useful middle distance winner Richard of Yorke, and that suggests she should come into her own now stepped up significantly in trip.
Course specialist Diamond weighted to sparkle
Catalinas Diamond has an excellent record the track and can further enhance it with victory in the 5f handicap (19:10).
The Pat Murphy trained mare has won three times and been placed on five occasions in 19 starts at the Somerset venue.
In the last of those successes, the eight-year-old came with a storming run from off the pace to get up close home and beat Top Cop by a nose off a mark of 60.
Catalinas Diamond is now able to race off 2lb lower, and comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching effort when fifth over course and distance earlier in the month.
The daughter of One Cool Cat was coming with what looked a winning run when getting badly hampered on two occasions, and finished full of running to be beaten just 2 1/12 lengths.
It was an effort which suggested Catalinas Diamond’s time was near, and granted better luck in-running she can gain compensation.
Bath selections
18.10: West Drive
18.40: Pacharana (NAP)
19.10: Catalinas Diamond (NB)
19.40: Seed Corn
20.10: Kassia
20.40: Hamish Mcgonagain
21.10: Gannicus
Higher the Power play at Kempton
Higher Power was a big eye-catcher last time out and can capitalise on what looks a lenient mark to land the 1m 3f handicap on this evening’s card at Kempton (19:50).
The James Fanshawe trained gelding is yet to get his head in front in five starts but has posted some solid efforts in decent contests and shaped like a sure fire future winner last month when third of 11 to Almodovar in a class 3 contest over course and distance.
After being patiently ridden in mid-division by Tom Queally in a race run at a steady gallop, Higher Power made good late headway a furlong from home to be nearest at the finish and beaten 6 1/2 lengths.
It was a highly promising effort given how the race panned out, and the four-year-old was not knocked about once it was clear he would not be winning.
Higher Power is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 affair off an unchanged mark of 83, and the son of Rip Van Winkle looks potentially far better than that judged on his latest effort.
Fanshawe also has a good record in the race having won the last two runnings, and Higher Power can land him the hat-trick.
Tibr can cash-in on class drop
In the 6f novice stakes (20:20), Tibr can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways.
The Ed Dunlop trained colt looked a smart prospect when quickening nicely to make a winning debut at Lingfield last month, and was then far from disgraced when pitched into Listed company and finishing fifth in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom.
Tibr showed plenty of pace in the latter and held every chance two from home until weakening to be beaten 4 1/2 lengths.
The son of Distorted Humour seemed unsuited by the undulating track and soft ground, so in the circumstances it wasn’t a bad effort.
The return to a more conventional venue looks sure to suit, and Tibr is going to be tough to beat now dropped significantly in grade into class 4 company.
Kempton selections
18.20: Monna Valley
18.50: Franco’s Secret
19.20: Outre Mer
19.50: Higher Power (NAP)
20.20: Tibr (NB)
20.50: Langham
21.20: Harristown
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