Kempton preview: Golden chance for Gracious George

David Metcalf | January 11, 2016

Gracious George has caught the eye in his last two starts, so can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 1m handicap on today’s card at Kempton (15.40).

The Jimmy Fox trained gelding has an excellent record at the track, having won three times and been placed on four other occasions.
In the last of those successes 12 months, Gracious George came with a scything run from off the pace to beat Franco’s Secret by a neck off a mark of 70.

This six-year-old then finished a solid 3/4 length third over course and distance off 73, but after being put up another 1lb has failed to trouble the judge in his next seven outings.

However, that has resulted in the assessor cutting Gracious George some slack and he is now able to race off a reduced rating of 64.

That is 6lb lower than when last successful and gives the son of Oratorio major claims from a handicapping perspective.

Gracious George also comes into the contest on the back of two promising runs over course and distance following a lay-off, and shaped as if his time was near in the last of those when keeping on to finish third of 12 to Walk Like A Giant.

Punters could be scream Yeooow if Burke bet comes off

In the 6f handicap (16.10), Yeeoow looks weighted to go well at a big price.

The Karl Burke trained gelding is a dual course and distance winner who ended a long losing run when scoring at Pontefract back in May 2015 off a mark of 84.

Yeeoow has since run well to finish runner-up on two occasions, including over course and distance off a mark of 85.

The seven-year-old is now able to race off just 80, 4lb lower than when last successful and the lowest rating he has raced off since April 2012.

It gives Yeeoow a big shout at the weights, especially now refitted with the cheekpieces that he wore when last victorious.

Selections

14.00: Four Nations
14.30: O’connor’s Girl
15.05: Fable Of Arachne
15.40: Gracious George (NAP)
16.10: Yeeoow (NB)
16.40: Invectus Hero

Related

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