DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY DECEMBER 15
2.30 PLUMPTON
Birdman Bob is a very reliable conveyance around today’s track and he probably, on balance, deserves to head the market but ostensibly he is very slow, and he could be vulnerable to KITSILANO (best price 9-2) if he makes the small stride forward required for stepping up in trip.
David Bridgwater’s inmate proved no match for the bang-in-form Jorebel here last time out, but he did run on quite nicely from the back of the field to finish a creditable second and in doing so, it is worth pointing out his final circuit time was almost identical to Birdman Bob’s on the same card.
Now that he has had a ‘sighter’ around today’s track and likely to find the tempo over 2m4f more to his taste, the eight-year-old rates the percentage call in the with and without the favourite markets.
KITSILANO – 1-point win@9-2
KITSILANO – 1-point win@7-4 without Birdman Bob
3.12 LINGFIELD
The race won by KING’S CODE (best price 2-1) was noted for its extremely strong speed figure for the grade and both he and the third, WHITCOMBE ROCKSTAR (best price 5-1), are taken against the field to confirm the form.
The former was slightly better positioned of the pair turning for home and that advantage he had over his old rival proved crucial in the closing stages, as there were only fine margins between the first three in the final analysis.
That victory at the Essex venue made it 9-23 on the all-weather for the super consistent five-year-old and having run well on two of his three previous visits to today’s track, the tactically versatile performer looks sure to put up a bold show in his bid to win here for the first time.
The latter might have won 18 days ago but for lugging in behind the winner down the straight and it comes as no surprise to see connections stick on a pair of cheekpieces on for the first time in a bid to try and correct his slightly wayward tendencies.
Campaigned mainly over a mile prior to that excellent effort, the five-time previous all-weather winner over that trip proved he is equally effective over further and despite having never run at today’s track before, he is still worth a small interest to see if he takes to the Surrey venue at the first time of asking.
KING’S CODE – 1-point win@2-1
WHITCOMBE ROCKSTAR – 1-point win@5-1