The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Jack able to succeed at Chelmsford
Five-year-old enjoying new lease of life with Stuart Williams
ABLE JACK has kicked off 2018 in something of a purple patch and he can keep up the good work in the Bet Quadpot At totesport.com Handicap at Chelmsford.
The five-year-old has seemingly taken on a new lease of life since returning from 427 days off the track last November.
Now with Stuart Williams, having previously been trained by Andrew Balding, Able Jack took a couple of outings to warm up before hitting the mark over a mile at this track in January.
Racing off his lowest mark for a long time on that occasion, Able Jack failed to follow up at Kempton next time but any suspicion his revised rating was to blame was erased when he obliged off that perch of 80 at Wolverhampton last time.
Lifting a competitive event that day,
Able Jack was probably good value for his three-quarter-length verdict and even with another 4lb on his back he appeals as a relatively unexposed individual and just the type Williams does so well with.
STONE OF DESTINY should appreciate the easier task he faces in the Bet Scoop6 At totesport.com Novice Stakes after trying his hand in a fast track qualifier last time out.
Winner of a Newcastle novice on his debut, it was understandable that David Simcock would want to try him at a better level.
However, he was unlucky to bump into the admirable Corinthia Knight back at Gosforth Park at the end of last month.
The winner is arguably the top dog in the three-year-old all-weather division this winter, so a near two-length defeat certainly makes Stone Of Destiny an animal of potential.
CAROUSE, another ex-Balding inmate, can go well for Jamie Osborne in the Bet Exacta At totesport.com Handicap.
He suffered a troubled passage when fourth on his first outing for the yard last month and, granted a little more luck here, he should be in the mix.
Meanwhile, FEARSOME FRED looks good in the Event Care Global Ltd Handicap Hurdle at Taunton. SELECTIONS CHELMSFORD: 5.45 Palawan, 6.15 Carouse, 6.45 ABLE JACK (NAP), 7.15 Captain Pugwash, 7.45 Stone Of Destiny, 8.15 Napping, 8.45 Divine Call. TAUNTON: 2.10 Fearsome Fred, 2.40 Flight To Milan, 3.10 Kristal Hart, 3.40 Wotzizname, 4.10 Dalaman, 4.40 Royal Act, 5.10 Rosy World.
DOUBLE: Able Jack and Stone Of Destiny.