Bronze Angel takes the plunge at Wolverhampton
– Bronze Angel can gain a long overdue victory when he takes the plunge at Wolverhampton today.
The 2014 Cambridgeshire hero has not found the mark since September 2015, but that does not tell the full story.
Marcus Tregoning's eightyear-old charge has, after all, only raced nine times since then in a stop-start career.
But he has shown enough this season to suggest the likelihood of a return to the winner's enclosure is a distinct possibility this winter.
Bronze Angel has won twice from four starts on the all-weather so that is also a reassuring stat ahead of the Betway Handicap over 1900m.
His most recent performance in a fine race at Leicester last month will also have gone down well with connections.
The gelded son of Dark Angel was done no favours by a soporific gallop in a 1600m handicap, nor was the fact he hit trouble
London
600m out. And yet in spite of that, he was only beaten a length into third place by Fire Brigade and Chatez.
After winning off a mark of 104 in his pomp, he is allowed to race at Wolverhampton off 95, which looks most appealing. Tyler Saunders' 3.5kg claim will also significantly boost to his chances.
Keep close tabs on Pretty Bubbles in a 1200m handicap at Kempton.
The eight-year-old mare returned to form at Lingfield last time, when second to the useful Sword Exceed, and still remains firmly on the right side of the assessor.
Josephine Gordon's reappointment is also good news.
Gino Trail should be much sharper than on his seasonal return when he rocks up at Wetherby.
Kerry Lee's 10-year-old was always up against it in a softground Haldon Gold Cup at Exeter, yet he shaped quite promisingly from the front until fitness told.
The 140-rated chaser must give away weight in a 1600m handicap at the West Yorkshire track, but he ought to have come on a ton for that first spin of the season and has always been well liked by his wise trainer.
It will be interesting to see down which route Lee decides to travel if Gino Trail does what is expected of him.
Plantagenet can be backed to run with honour at Hereford.