Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Top Secret to show class
TOP Secret can begin the new year as he finished the last one – with victory in the Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Handicap at Kempton.
The seven-year-old is three from five at the Sunbury circuit, scoring twice in November 2022 and bolting up on his most recent visit just before Christmas.
Top Secret had disappointed on his two previous outings on turf, but clearly benefited from a 102-day break and a return to the all-weather as he won comfortably by just over two lengths. A 6lb rise to a careerhigh mark of 91 clearly makes life tougher, but he is nevertheless expected to enhance his fine course record with another win in this London Mile Series Qualifier.
Bosh catches the eye in the Unibet Extra Place Offers Every Day Handicap.
Richard Hannon’s inmate had a rating pushing three figures a couple of years ago, but a disappointing run of form has seen his mark drop to its current perch of 87.
However, there were definite signs of a revival when third at Lingfield last time out behind the prolific Intervention and he appears to have been found a good opportunity here.
Elsewhere, Findthetime enjoyed no luck at Doncaster on his most recent run and is one to keep in mind for the Quinnbet.com Novices’
Limited Handicap Chase up at Newcastle. He was hampered by a faller at a crucial stage and could not claw back the lost ground, eventually coming home a fair fourth – an effort which can be upgraded.
Ben Pauling’s Handstands is hard to oppose in the Quinnbet Best Odds Guaranteed Novices’ Hurdle.
Bought for £135,000 after winning an Irish point-to-point in October, the Getaway gelding gave his new connections an immediate return on his hurdling debut at Hereford.