Chepstow
4.20 7f Class 6 Handicap – Miss Icon 6/1
Had just the one win to her name before this season and doubled her tally from what looked a very dangerous mark on her penultimate run.
She was rated as high as 73 after her win in a maiden on her 3rd start, however she didn’t progress on that into her 3yo career but did place 3rd off a mark of 70 before a season of up and down performances in 2017.
That looked to be the end of her career and maybe went to the breeding barns or she picked up a injury, not quite sure, but either way she wasn’t seen for 20 months and returned in June off a dangerous mark of 56 at Lingfield where she understandably was in need of a run.
From here her mark dropped to an even more dangerous 53, 20lbs under her highest rated mark and she took full advantage over this C&D and was well backed beforehand.
Her victory of just half a length isn’t a true reflection of her dominance, the eventual 2nd got a good first run advantage and after Miss Icon drew level Liam Keniry just coaxed her over the line with the rest of the field well strung out.
She was raised 4lbs for the win and was tried on the AW when last seen where she doesn’t look as well suited in the past but she still put in a gallant effort finishing 2nd under William Carver riding her for the first time, the eventual winner had fist run on her and Miss Icon was closing all the time, but not quick enough.
Tomorrow not only does she return back to the turf and on fast ground which she thrives on, but also back at Chepstow with Liam Keniry back on which are both big positives, she does go up another 2lbs but she’s still 14lbs under her highest career mark and visually still looks very well treated.
Cartmel
5.00 3m1f Class 2 Handicap Hurdle – Dr Robin 13/2
Has been in serious form and recorded a hat trick winning sequence last month, once over hurdles and twice over fences.
His penultimate run and win was in a good 0-125 race at Ffos Las where he made all and jumped really well with plenty in hand, more than the 2 length victory gives him credit for, the 8 length 3rd won NTO boosting the form.
He was raised 7lbs for the victory and raced in a better 0-140 when last seen over this C&D where again making all from the front, for one moment he did look a bit in danger when the eventual 2nd Red Giant got close to him when entering the straight for the long run in but Dr Robin had plenty to give and pulled away impressively to win by 6 lengths.
He again switches back to hurdles and faces his hardest task to date in a class 2 effectively off 119 being 2lbs out of the handicap, but his in the form of his life and to my eye looks capable of the step up, also it’s a case of striking while the irons hot.
Trainer Peter Bowen loves Cartmel with a 27% career strike rate here and a big +£51.90 level stake profit, he has a good book of runners tomorrow and all with Sean Bowen onboard, brother James was on the last 3 wins but Sean Bowen is just as good and actually has more wins and experience on Dr Robins back and also rides Cartmel well with a cool 29% strike rate.
Epsom
5.25 1m Class 4 Handicap – Plunger 5/1
Another case of strike while the irons hot, he won off 82 at the age of 3 at Leicester and ran 2 fine races after a gelding operation finishing 3rd in both in good class 3 races.
He hadn’t returned in the same sort of form this season with 5 below par runs but bounced back to form in a big field claimer in France setting a good time in the process.
He returns back to British soil in good spirits and still 2lb under his last winning mark, he loves fast ground which with the fast drying ground it should be rattling quick around race time.
Trainer Paul Cole is in good current form and sends just the one to Epsom and has a great 24% strike rate there in the last 5 years with positive LSP and books inform Pat Dobbs who also likes Epsom and has a nice +£19.5 LSP here the last 5 years.
Russell Blair
