Fly high with Plutocraft
Trainer James Fanshawe has sent out just seven runners at Brighton over the past five years, but has come away with a couple of victories. He has every chance on improving his record when his three-year-old gelding Plutocraft contests the Grace Of Brighton Handicap at 5.00pm Friday. Although still a maiden after five outings, he has shown plenty of ability and it is surely only a matter of time before he enters the winner’s enclosure.
He made two appearances as a juvenile, the last of which showed great promise when coming home in third place behind Highland Quaich. Put away for the rest of the year, he made his comeback in early May where he contested a Kempton maiden. Although he was a bit keen early on, he proceeded to run a nice race, running into third place behind Udabaa, despite looking far from fully wound up.
When making his handicap debut at Leicester next time, he still looked as though the run would do his fitness the world of good, despite being the subject of significant market support. Although he travelled well early on, he failed to quicken when the pace increased and struggled to land a blow. In the end, he came home in fifth place behind Learo Dochais and the bookies ended up with full satchels.
On his final start in a handicap at Warwick, he stripped much fitter and it showed in his performance too. Racing more prominently, he took the advantage entering the final furlong and looked all set to break his duck. However, Chinese Democracy came with a strong run under Cathy Gannon and got up to win in the last few strides. That horse has since followed up in a handicap at Lingfield, so the form looks solid and Plutocraft can make amends, as this sharper track seems certain to suit.
Dutiful
The main danger is likely to be Mick Channon’s Dutiful, who has been in reasonable form this season, landing a handicap at Leicester along the way. He also has some decent course form to his name having come close to winning a handicap here back in May. On that occasion, he appeared to be struggling to go the pace in the early stages, but picked up really well in the final furlong to finish second to Rosedale. He would probably have won in a couple more strides and it is interesting that he runs over an extra furlong here.
However, his run last time out at Leicester was slightly disappointing as he could manage only fourth behind Jubail. His style of running suggests that he could be in the grip of the handicapper at present and will do better when given some respite in the ratings.
Louisiana Gift
Another with some sound course form is Louisiana Gift, trained by John Hills and ridden by Seb Sanders.
Still a maiden, he put in a decent performance over this course and distance back in June, when finishing second to Princess Lexi. Having run quite respectably that day, it came as something of a surprise to see him contesting a claimer at Newmarket next time. It could be that connections were desperate to get a win under his belt, but unfortunately, things did not quite go to plan, as at halfway the horse clipped heels with a rival and subsequently fell, hurling his young apprentice jockey Patrick Hills to the ground.
On his final start, he took a further drop in grade to contest a seller at Leicester, where he led for much of the race until headed by Angelena Ballerina with a furlong to go. He kept on well enough for second place, but it was a poor quality contest. He will surely have to show considerable improvement to get involved here and on recent evidence, that looks unlikely.
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