Completing a hat-trick, especially in
sprint handicap company, is no easy task, but Highly Sprung
appears to have an excellent chance of doing so, as he attempts to
defy a 6lb penalty in the King Richard III Handicap (3.30) at
Pontefract on Tuesday. Les Eyre’s six-year-old steps back up in
class after two course and distance wins, in 0-70 and 0-75 company,
but the manner of his most recent victory suggested he is thriving in
his new surroundings. The Zebedee gelding was transferred from Mark
Johnston in May and, after two fairly nondescript runs over 7
furlongs, has rediscovered his form back over his optimum distance.
He has recorded all seven career wins
over 6 furlongs on good to firm going – including three over course
and distance in total – so should be in his element once again and
remains 3lb lower in the weights than when winning a 0-85 contest, by
5 lengths, at Yarmouth two seasons ago. He’s never won in this
grade but, while his most recent form has yet to be tested, he was
visually quite impressive and it’s not great surprise that
connections are keen to turn him out under a penalty. He’s 4-13
under Silvestre De Sousa, who won on him last time and has a 6-19
(32%) strike rate overall for Les Eyre during the last five seasons,
so the statistics provide additional cause for optimism.
Selection: Pontefract 3.30
Highly Sprung to win 9/4