Kempton preview: Course specialist Cawdor weighted to collect
Published:
David Metcalf | November 30, 2015
Thane Of Cawdor bounced back to form when runner-up last time out and can go one better to land the 1m 2f handicap on today’s card at the Sunbury-On-Thames venue (14.20) to further enhance his excellent record at the track.
Joe Tuite trained gelding Thane Of Cawdor is a four-time course and distance winner, who has also won over 1m 4f at the venue and been placed on six occasions.
In the last of those course and distance successes back in May, the six-year-old scored by 1 1/2 lengths off a mark of 60 and was value for more than the winning margin.
Thane Of Cawdor can bounce back
Thane Of Cawdor blew the start completely and was forced to make a move out wide two from home before taking up the running inside the last to win going away at the line.
It was an excellent effort given how the race panned out, and Than Of Cawdor backed it up with a solid two length fourth over course and distance off a rating of 63.
The son of Danehill Dancer was the below his best in his next five outings, before putting in a much improved effort over course and distance 19 days ago when second of 14 to the Candyman Can off a mark of 60 following a break.
That run should have blown away the cobwebs and put Thane Of Cawdor spot on for this, and off just 1lb higher he looks weighted to get back to winning ways.
Big Time due win
In the 7f handicap (17.20), Big Time can score and overdue success now dropped down in trip.
The gelding had some very smart form to his name as a juvenile when trained in Ireland, winning on his debut at Naas ground before going on to finish runner-up in the Group 2 Railway Stakes and Group 1 Phoenix Park Stakes.
Big Time then had just two runs as a three-year-old and was far from disgraced on the first of those when fifth of 11 to Kingman in the Irish 2000 Guineas off an official rating of 114.
Now in the care of Dandy Nicholls, the four-year-old is able to race off a career-low mark of 85 having shown that he retains plenty of ability when a neck second over 1m at Nottingham three starts back when collared close home.
Big Time also ran well last time out when third at Chelmsford over 1m when attempting to make all before being beat two lengths by Big Whiskey, and could prove prove a tough nut to crack if allowed an easy lead over this afternoon’s shorter trip.
Selections
14.20: Thane Of Cawdor (NAP)
14.50: Sunbaked
15.20: Wally’s Wisdom
15.50: Peaceful Journey
16.20: Mytimehascome
16.50: Elusive Guest
17.20: Big Time (NB)
17.50: Maymo
