CHARISMA TO WIN YOU OVER
Charismatic Man let down his supporters as a shortpriced favourite last time out but should be given chance to redeem himself in the Betway Handicap at Wolverhampton tomorrow.
The four-year-old is a full-brother to 2011 French Derby hero Reliable Man so one would perhaps have expected him to be a good deal better than this class four affair.
However, after two unsuccessful starts in France for Alain de Royer-Dupre in 2015, Charismatic Man crossed the Channel to join Ralph Beckett and has managed to make much more of an impact in Britain.
While his initial run at Newmarket promised little, he stepped up on that to win a modest 12-furlong handicap at Wolverhampton in November before just being edged into second at Lingfield at the end of December.
Stepped up to two miles and racing off an 8lb higher mark, Charismatic Man was just caught in the dying strides, going down by a head.
A lack of stamina did not appear to be the problem on that occasion, so sticking to two miles here makes sense and while another 4lb rise is not ideal, Charismatic Man appears to be a horse who is still on the upgrade and relatively unexposed for this sort of grade.
Captain Swift has a liking for Dunstall Park and can get his head in front again in the Betway App Classified Claiming Stakes.
He had to settle for second when last seen but had previously hit the target at this track, where he seems to really thrive on the Tapeta surface, and sticks at just short of a mile and six again.
What Usain can snap a losing streak that stretches back to June 2015 by winning the sunbets.co.uk Handicap at Southwell.
A three-times winner for Geoff Oldroyd, What Usain subsequently moved to the care of David O’Meara but made no impression in five starts before moving on again to Michael Appleby’s yard.
What Usain showed a glimpse of promise on his debut for new connections in December and his second place earlier this month suggests he can get back on the winning trail.
Don Bersy created a minor surprise when winning at Sandown and he can keep up the good work in the Cameron Smart Rainbow Race Juvenile Hurdle at Warwick.
Second on his only hurdles outing in France, Tom Symonds’ charge tipped up on his British bow at Warwick in December before bouncing back in Esher at the start of the month.
Coeur De Lion was sent off the 1-3 favourite for that race but had no answers as Don Bersy stayed on all the way to the line to fend off his challenge by a length and a half.
Connections are eager to take a low-key route with this Califet gelding, with Cheltenham likely to be bypassed in favour of a trip to Haydock, possibly on the way to Aintree.
Wherever he ends up, Don Bersy is the one to be with.
Al Reesha obviously has a fair way to go before justifying her entry for the Grade One Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, but the fact she is even considered of that calibre is a clue in itself for the 188bet.co.uk EBF Mares’ “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle.