Pontefract preview: Latenightrequest can cash-in on class drop
Published:
David Metcalf | October 19, 2015
Latenightrequest can take advantage of a drop in the weights and ease in grade to get back to winning ways in the 1m 2f handicap on today’s card at Pontefract (15.10).
The Richard Fahey trained filly has won six of her 20 starts, and was last successful at Doncaster 12 months ago when sluicing up by 4 1/2 lengths in a class 2 contest off a mark of 88.
Latenightrequest got put up to 96 for that runaway victory and has failed to trouble the judge in four subsequent starts.
However, those runs have all come in competitive contests and the assessor has been quick to cut the four-year-old plenty of slack.
Latenightrequest is now able to race off a rating of 85, 3lb lower than when last successful, and takes a big drop in class into class 4 company.
That gives the daughter of Major Cadeaux major claims from a handicapping perspective, and this is the lowest grade she has competed in for over two years.
Latenightrequest also now gets the cut in the ground that she relishes for the first time this season, and everything suggests this is a golden opportunity for her to get back to winning ways.
In the 5f handicap that closes the card (17.40), Avon Breeze looks weighted to go well following an eye-catching effort last time out.
The Richard Whitaker trained mare was last successful back in July when comfortably beating Singeur by a length in a 16-runner contest at Beverley off a mark of 81.
Avon Breeze now meets that rival on 1l better terms having since posted some solid efforts off higher marks.
They include a good fourth of 13 to Ballesteros in a class 2 handicap at Chester off 85, and a tenderly handled never nearer fifth of 11 to Keep It Dark at Ripon last time out off 83 after a slow start.
The latter suggested Avon Breeze was ready to strike, and the daughter of Avonbridge has since been dropped another 1lb to 82.
That makes the six-year-old look well-treated in this class 4 contest on the pick of her form, especially judged on her run behind Ballesteros in a much higher grade.
Selections:
14.10: Beverley Bullet
14.40: Hold On Magnolia
15.10: Latenightrequest (NAP)
15.40: Still On Top
16.10: Persian Breeze
16.40: Nearly Caught
17.10: Noble Asset
17.40: Avon Breeze (NB)
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