Campeon hasanElof achance forsuccess inEssex
EL CAMPEON must have a grand chance when he reports for duty at Chelmsford.
Simon Dow’s five-year-old has done really well for the Surrey handler, winning six races from 23 outings.
He has also been in fine fettle this winter with solid placed efforts since winning over a mile and three-quarters at Wolverhampton in December.
El Campeon finished in the money at Lingfield a few weeks later, and got even closer at Kempton on just his second try over two miles.
The gelded son of Multiplex was probably unlucky to have bumped into the upwardly-mobile Aurora Gray in Sunbury, so to get to within a neck of that rival was no mean feat indeed.
El Campeon reverts to a mile and three-quarters for an eight-runner handicap that is not without its merits.
And though he has gone up a few more pounds on his first start at Chelmsford, his current well-being makes him difficult to dismiss lightly.
Capable Newmarket handler Henry Spiller must seriously fancy his chance of winning the concluding seven-furlong handicap with In The Spotlight.
The three-year-old filly has to shoulder top weight but she absolutely dotted up at Kempton on Saturday and should get every yard of this longer trip.
With much more required from her six rivals, In The Spotlight, who will have the assistance of 3lb claimer Louis Steward, clearly sets the standard.
The old team of Richard Fahey and Paul Hanagan can cash in at Southwell with Footlight.
A pleasing runner-up on her first start over a mile and a quarter at Lingfield on January 7, this likeable daughter of Showcasing makes a heck of a lot of appeal over another furlong.
Footlight continues to rise through the weights, but she likes running at Southwell and has to be respected in the Betway Handicap.
Winner Massagot looks worth a play in the Ryan Direct Group Chase at Wincanton.
Alan King’s chestnut has taken a little while to get it together over fences, but his recent spin at Doncaster tends to suggest the wait could be worthwhile.
Despite having been sent on his way a 22-1 chance, the six-year-old jumped pretty well in a two-milethree-furlong novice chase to take second spot behind Querry House.
Winner Massagot was only beaten three-quarters of a length, while his cause was not helped by a spot of trouble in-running two fences from home.
That run did not go unnoticed by the handicapper, who has decided to raise him 5lb for his troubles. Be that as it may, Winner Massagot should still be competitive off his revised mark as he reverts to the minimum trip. He also has winning form on soft ground.