Brighton Preview: Young Jackie a seaside sizzler

Young Jackie has been given a chance by the assessor and looks the one to beat in the 1m 2f handicap at Brighton this evening (17:15) now returned to the scene of her last success.

The George Margarson mare was in fine form last summer, winning on the all-weather at Lingfield before following up in good style over course and distance off a mark of 51 when beating track specialist Beacon Lady by 1 1/2 lengths.

Young Jackie got put up 6lb for the latter, and has largely been campaigned on the all-weather since.

The seven-year-old has run well in her last three starts, and shaped as if her time was near when a staying on fourth at Kempton when last seen in action.

Young Jackie now returns to the turf off a mark of just 50, which is 1lb lower than when last successful.

It gives the daughter of Doyen major claims from a handicapping perspective, especially as Young Jackie has the services of talented apprentice Cam Hardie in the saddle who is terrific value for his 3lb claim.

Taking it into account, Young Jackie is 4lb below her last winning mark and weighted to take all the beating in what looks a very weak class 6 affair.

Trainer Andrew Balding has a tremendous strike rate with his runners at the venue, and Mime Dance can defy topweight to further enhance it in the 7f handicap (18.45).

The Kingsclere handler has been successful with just under 27 per cent of his raiders at the track in the past 12 months (four wins and five placed from 15 runners), and in Mime Dance has a gelding whose best form has come on switchback tracks.

The four-year-old won on his sole previous visit to the track when bagging a 1m contest last August off a mark of 74, and rounded off 2014 with an excellent nose second to Aqua Ardens in a competitive 13-runner contest over 7f at Epsom off 80.

Although now 2lb higher in the weights, this is far less competitive and Mime Dance is unlikely to be found wanting through lack of fitness given the good form of the stable.

Mime Dance also goes particularly well for jockey Oisin Murphy, who gets the leg up today, and this race looks an excellent opportunity for the daughter of Notnowcato to notch a third career success.

Selections:
16.40: Jet Setting
17.15: Young Jackie (NAP)
17.45: Lu’s Buddy
18.15: Rockie Road
18.45: Mime Dance (NB)
19.20: Saskia’s Dream
19.50: Poetic Choice