4:10 – Princeton Royale 50/1 E/W
While he was completely out of sorts last season, there are reasons to expect a return to form today.
A few weeks ago, Bryony Frost gave an interview post-race where she discussed the form of the Neil King yard. While I can’t recall her exact phrasing, she implied that there was a bug going around the yard last season and the horses are in much better form now. This could go someway to explaining the selections below par performances last term.
However, Neil King and Bryony Frost have been in flying form since the restart. Their record when pairing up since July 1st is: 5512422124121120353201; 6 wins and 8 places from 24 starts.
It’s also important to note that the selection was running on unsuitably soft ground last year; his record on soft/heavy is: 553F53224P6; the 2nd and 3rds came in field sizes of 5/6/7.
Conversely, his record on good or quicker is: 5511213013152P124128; 7 wins and 5 places from 20 starts.
Furthermore, he was not given his customary front running ride on his last two starts and he did not run in a visor (which he commonly wears) . While I can only hope that front running tactics are readopted here, it is pleasing to see the visor go back on; he’s won 6 times and placed a further 5 times from 17 starts when the visor is on, and it’s worth noting that he also won the last time it was refitted after running without it on his previous start.
His poor form has seen his mark drop from 142 to 135; his last win came off 137 and that also came off the back of a long break, so while the absence isn’t ideal in the face off some race-fit rivals, he is capable of going well fresh.
He’s done very well in class 3 company previously, winning 3 times and placing a further 5 times from just 12 starts. Also, the selection has won at this course before and he’s 2 from 3 at this intermediate trip.
This is Neil King and Bryony’s only runner/ride on the day and the trainer has a superb record in handicap chases here; 6 wins and 5 places from just 17 runners.
While he is 11yo now and he hasn’t shown much form for a year, there are plenty of reasons to expect a better performance today. At the price, he’s worth taking a chance on.
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