Kempton and Wolverhampton previews: A Good chance for Skin
Published:
David Metcalf | February 12, 2016
A Good Skin can cash-in on class drop at Kempton
A Good Skin can take advantage of a drop in the weights and ease in grade to get back to winning ways in the 3m handicap chase on today’s card at Kempton (15.50).
The Tom George trained gelding rounded off last season in terrific form when landing back-to-back success in class 3 contests at Ludlow and Cheltenham.
In the last of those, A Good Skin came from off the pace and kept on strongly on the run-in to win going away by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 130.
The seven-year-old has since had just three starts, and ran a blinder on the second of those when third to Drop Out Joe in the class 1 Badger Ales Trophy at Wincanton back in November off a rating of 137.
Although A Good Skin failed to build on that last time out when well beaten behind Village Vic at Cheltenham, that was a very competitive class 1 contest and he now drops down significantly into class 3 company.
It is a grade in which A Good Skin has a 50 per cent strike rate, and the son of Presenting is able to run off what looks a very workable mark of 135 on the pick of his form.
Malibu ready to Rock
In the 2m 5f handicap hurdle (14.40), Malibu Rock is a fascinating contender on his first start for trainer Chris Gordon and can go well at a big price.
The gelding has only had six starts over hurdles and caught the eye on the second of those when an 18 length fifth of 10 to Saddlers Encore at Wincanton when shaping well until weakening two from home.
Saddlers Encore has won twice since to be rated 135, and the runner-up Southfield Vic is a very useful sort now rated 148 over hurdles and 145 over fences.
That represents strong form in the context of this class 4 contest, and Malibu Rock is able to race in it off a reduced mark of just 100.
It makes the eight-year-old look nicely treated if ready to go at the first time of asking after 413 days on the sidelines, especially as he ran well on handicap debut off 9lb higher when a 4 3/4 length fourth at Towcester.
Selections
13.05: Brown Bear
13.35: Label Des Obeaux
14.05: Exmoor Mist
14.40: Malibu Rock (NB)
15.15: Josses Hill
15.50: A Good Skin (NAP)
16.25: Thomas Shelby
16.55: Stowaway Magic
Wild Flower ready to bloom at Wolverhampton
Wild Flower caught the eye last time out and looks weighted to open her account in the 7f handicap on this evening’s card at Wolverhampton (20.15).
The filly was formerly trained in Ireland and ran well on her final start for J J Murphy when a 3/4 length second of 13 to Humour at Chelmsford back in October.
Wild Flower then joined Jimmy Fox and posted a cracking effort for her new handler when runner-up to Etaad at Lingfield off a mark of 50.
The four-year-old held every chance inside the final furlong before being outpaced by the winner to be beaten 2 3/4 lengths.
Etaad has come out and won again since, and the sixth home Spinning Cobblers has also gone on to taste success.
That gives the form a strong look and Wild Flower hinted that her time was near when a solid fourth of 13 to Yard Of Ale at Kempton nine days ago.
The daughter of Approve showed bags of early speed and kept on well inside the last to be beaten just 3/4 of a length, and is now able to race off 1lb lower in what looks a very winnable contest.
Gabrial The Terror weighted to strike
Gabrial The Terror has a good record at the track and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to further enhance it with victory in the 1m 6f handicap (19.15).
The Richard Fahey trained gelding was in terrific form last year when rattling up a four-timer at the venue, with the last of those successes coming over this evening’s trip off a rating of 78 in a class 4 contest.
Gabrial The Terror is now able to race off 4lb lower, and drops down into class 5 company having shaped as if needing his two recent runs on return to action.
It gives the six-year-old major claims from a handicapping perspective, and another plus is that the Fahey team is in good form at present.
With the trip ideal, and Tony Hamilton in the saddle, everything looks in place for a big run.
Selections
17.15: Ancient Cross
17.45: Fairy Foxglove
18.15: Jolly Red Jeanz
18.45: Big Amigo
19.15: Gabrial The Terror (NB)
19.45: Dougan
20.15: Wild Flower (NAP)
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