King Maiden Has More To Offer

Jeremy Grayson has been keeping them peeled at the nation’s smaller tracks

- Jeremy Grayson

WINCANTON, 17 October (Good) 1m7f65yds Maiden Hurdle (Class 4) In practice a second-season novice hurdler but still only four starts into this phase of his career, NEBUCHADNEZZAR can number one French 2m2f-2m3f hurdles scorer among his otherwise predominately Flat-oriented pedigree and looks very much like one in need of such a trip himself. On the face of it not done any favours for a switch to handicapping with an initial mark in the 120s, it’s worth noting that Alan King’s Planteur gelding didn’t help himself overly much on occasion last winter while keen-going traits were still being unlearned, and he could yet prove himself a deal better than both those efforts and this reappearance run if deriving sufficient benefit from the latter.

3m1f30yds 0-125 Handicap Chase (class 3)

BARBROOK STAR’s blowout at Chepstow when last seen in April took some forgiving, but a 17l sixth on this first outing since was much more like it, considering Philip Hobbs’ seven-year-old was able to stay in the mix until three out on ground an increment livelier than ideal. A scorer over the same C&D the first time the cheekpieces were added last winter, the Getaway gelding did enough here to hold off for now any suggestions that the effectiveness of the headgear has worn off completely, and if the evidence of last season is any guide there should be a marked uplift in performance from first run back to second. Able to function perfectly well around galloping tracks as well as sharp, take him to find further openings in mid-ranking staying chases on good to soft or slower.

2m5f82yds 0-110 Handicap Hurdle (class 4)