Bath preview: Dolphin holds Rock solid claims

Dolphin Rock has won his last two starts in good style and looks weighted to land the hat-trick in the 1m handicap on today’s card at Bath (17.50).

The Richard Ford trained gelding took advantage of a huge drop in the weights to end a long losing run when making all in the hands of apprentice Callum Rodriguez and digging deep to beat Glasgon in a 1m contest at Ayr on soft ground off a mark of 55.

Dolphin Rock was put up just 3lb for that success, and had little difficulty following-up in impressive fashion at Chepstow eight days ago.

The eight-year-old made all and stayed on strongly to beat Bountybeamadam by 4 1/2 lengths, and the runner-up has since come out and finished a solid second to give the form a solid look.

That was also an apprentice race and means that Dolphin Rock is able to race in this off an unchanged mark of 58.

It makes the son of Mark Of Esteem look thrown-in at the weights, especially as he was rated much higher in the past.

Prior to his success at Ayr, Dolphin Rock been last successful in a class 4 affair at at Chester in May 2013 off a mark of 78 when trained by Brian Ellison, and that suggests that he still has plenty in hand on the assessor.

Kazziana scored in impressive fashion last time out and can follow-up in the 1m 2f handicap (14.50).

The Charlie Appleby trained filly shaped with plenty of promise on debut when third at Nottingham, and duly showed the benefit of that experience when bolting up at Kempton two weeks later.

After travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders, the three-year-old showed a nice turn of foot when produced to lead entering the final furlong to quickly put the race to bed and score easily by 3 1/2 lengths.

It was a most taking performance, and one which suggested Kazziana needing keeping firmly onside.

The well-bred daughter of Shamardal looks the type who has plenty more to offer, and an opening handicap mark of just 77 could seriously underestimate her ability.

Selections:
14.20: Outrage
14.50: Kazziana (NB)
15.20: Dusty Blue
15.50: Shaden
16.20: Elle Rebelle
16.50: Easydoesit
17.20: Memphis Magic
17.50: Dolphin Rock (NAP)