Youthful exuberance
DACE’S ACE HAS THE PACE TO DELIVER
YOUTHFUL KING (2.40, nb) looks sprightly for the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Rosebery Handicap at Kempton Park.
Luke Dace’s best horse has been thundering home to finish a couple of lengths off Lingfield’s gold medal spot.
Drawn widest eight days ago, 7lb claimer Ethan Jones reined his bay mount back and had to sit and suffer with two furlongs to run.
It was game over when Inspiritus broke away to build up an unassailable lead, but my selection was eating up the ground late on.
With more time to get rolling at today’s course, using his recently adopted patient tactics,Youthful King can be rewarded for recent consistency.
Ian Williams-trained grey AQWAAM (3.15) is progressing nicely for the Virgin Bet Queen’s Prize Handicap.
On a career high mark of 90, he was galloping all over his Lingfield BetUK All-WeatherVase Marathon rivals – and did not disappoint as the staying event hotted up. Oisin Orr’s ride displayed a good turn of foot and must figure on that form, after a 4lb rise from the sport’s performance assessor.
RogerVarian has surely been waiting to give JULIA AUGUSTA (2.05) another polytrack opportunity.
She began life with pattern class potential, but has continued to ply her trade in handicaps between seven and 10 furlongs.
Over today’s track and trip, the Newmarket raider made significant headway to press prominent galloper Choisya – and revenge awaits in the ListedVirgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes.
KODI LION (1.30) tops a lengthy shortlist for a competitive restricted novice event which kickstarts ITV’s seven-race programme.
Charlie Fellowes’ sprinter was put away and subsequently gelded after starting his career with a close-up Newcastle third.
Only overtaken by the front two inside the final furlong, Kodi Bear’s son is open to improvement in his three-year-old campaign.
Smartly-bred 1,000 Guineas entrant DEVOTED QUEEN (3.45) adds a touch of class to theVirgin Bet Daily Extra Places British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.
At Chelmsford, all eyes will be on Aidan O’Brien’s top-rated Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes challenger Capulet.
Limited evidence suggests members of his powerful string will step forward for an opening run – and
BRACKENS LAUGH
(3.30, trb) represents value.
In-form Richard Hughes set the Zoffany colt a Group One Criterium de SaintCloud task straight from a tenacious Newbury debut.
Down in class, each-way odds of 10-1 are too big for a horse with stacks of potential, from a stable with an excellent 41 per cent strike rate with three-yearolds in 2024.
Likeable Frankel filly MAXUX (2.55), trained by Joseph O’Brien, is the pick for the Curragh’s Group Three Tote.ie Alleged Stakes.