DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY DECEMBER 12
3.35 CHELTENHAM
A competitive card with this concluding handicap no different and LUCKY MANIFEST (NAP) (best price 5-2) could well turn out to be the answer to the puzzle should he take the little step forward needed over today’s extra yardage.
Tom Lacey’s inmate just found one too good in the shape of A Pai De Nom in a big-field handicap over 2m5f at the last meeting, but the winner has gone to prove the value of the form since (so too did the seventh yesterday) and he can probably count himself a little unlucky to meet such a well-treated opponent.
The way he stayed on from the last also suggested he shouldn’t have any problems stretching out over further in due course and even though his rating was adjusted accordingly, the son of Lucky Speed could still turn out to be south of where he might end up in future.
Of his main dangers, Long Draw is an admirable type, but he holds no secrets from the handicapper while Tranquil Sea must prove he is equally effective on this sort of surface.
LUCKY MANIFEST – 1-point win@5-2
8.30 SOUTHWELL
SHOW BIZ KID (best price 15-2) has yet to win on the all-weather in seven starts but his overall record and run here last time out, suggests he might not have to wait too much longer to make the breakthrough and tonight’s contest could well be the best opportunity he has had for a while.
Held up off the pace over the C&D a month ago, he found himself in an unpromising position turning for home but to his great credit, he ran on strongly in the latter stages to finish a never-nearer fourth and considering how the race panned out in favour of those up with the speed, his performance deserved upgrading.
The way he easily ran down one of tonight’s main market rivals, Spec Of Light, points towards him being way overpriced just based on that evidence alone and providing he a little closer to the action on his return visit, the son of Acclamation has better prospects than his odds indicate.
SHOW BIZ KID – ½ point each-way@15-2