Smad Place achieved a career-best time-handicap mark when winning the Hennessy unchallenged on a soft Newbury surface last Saturday, jumping the fourth last this striking grey Smadoun gelding was marginally ahead, by the time he reached the winning line this rapidly-improving eight-year-old was twelve lengths clear!
Tactically, Wayne Hutchinson was right to “sort out the wheat from the chaff” and now that superb trainer, Alan King, has a genuine Cheltenham Gold Cup prospect; at 14/1 Smad Place represents outstanding each-way value.
According to the TH Smad Place, a high time-figure hurdler, is at least the equivalent of Cue Card; only Don Cossack and Vautour can be considered serious rivals which means current odds are indeed tempting and should be taken.
King is a thorough professional, his record bears close inspection, he rates one of my favourites and come March don’t be surprised if Smad Place isn’t one of them!
Kakashan is selected to beat similarly-rated Lightsome in the 14-runner Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs of Kempton today, because John Gosden’s charge is much better drawn!
Lightsome faces a nigh impossible task from stall thirteen whereas thrice-raced Kakashan is berthed low, in stall two.
On countless occasions I’ve kidded myself believing that natural speed would prevail over a bad draw. How wrong. On Tuesday one of our strong selections, Burmese Whisper, was jumped out from the widest draw, ten, but from halfway it was quite obvious that doing too much early on would be a problem.
Two furlongs out Burmese Whisper was still being called by the commentator but to my trained eye was as flat as a sheet of paper; in the closing stages he weakened into fourth.
YOU CAN’T BEAT THE DRAW! That needs to be emblazoned on my forehead whilst looking in a mirror, every morning!
Kakashan appeals and so does once-raced Tailwind, an eye-catching three lengths second to Turbine on Wolverhampton Tapeta last month.
Roger Varian’s charge should improve considerably and though there are several likely to be on the premises we wont be swayed from supporting Tailwind in the Maiden Stakes over six furlongs. A drop back in trip should be ideal for this Dubawi colt. Don’t oppose.
Incidentally Gild Master, mount of much-under-rated, John Fahy, has been found a good opportunity in the aged handicap over twelve furlongs, trained by Alan King!
Selections
KEMPTON, 4.40
TAILWIND; 5.10
KAKASHAN (nap-e.w). 5.40
GILD MASTER (e.w).
