Lorient Express

31-01-2009

Lorient Express is a much more attractive proposition given the way the race is likely to be run. Venetia Williams's gelding came back from over a year and a half on the sidelines to win at Ludlow in early December, and followed that up with a most impressive display to take his field apart at Wincanton on St Stephen's Day. The handicapper raised him 6lb for that performance, which was fair enough, and still leaves him just 1lb higher than the mark off which he raced three years ago.

It is a little bit of a worry that he under-performed on both of his previous visits to Sandown, but he was held up in behind horses on both of those occasions. He has been allowed bowl along in front for both of his wins to date this term, that seems to suit him well, and front-runners are very well served by Sandown's chase course. His five most recent wins have been gained at right-handed tracks, he handles soft ground, Venetia Williams's horses continue in great form, and he could have it all to himself up front today given that there is no other obvious front-runner in the race.

LORIENT EXPRESS WON (ADV 4/1, SP 11/4)

31st January, 2009

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