Le Reve

31st-Jan-2015

I am backing Le Reve again here, he should be clear favourite in my book and he is well worth backing at 6/1.

As mentioned before, the key to Le Reve is racing right-handed. His record this way around now reads 351P1114213, compared to form figures of 4UUPP going left-handed. We backed him on his most recent run at Ascot just before Christmas when he was third to The Young Master and Houblon Des Obeaux. That was a high-class handicap chase, the winner is hugely progressive this season and the runner-up had finished a fine second in the Hennessy, in a race that is working out particularly well. Also, there were good horses like Hey Big Spender and Ardkilly Witness behind. It was a big run by Lucy Wadham’s gelding.

Today’s race is not as strong as that race was, the top weight is 9lb lower than the top weight in that Ascot race and the second top weight is a full 16lb lower than the second top weight at Ascot was. This is a significant drop in grade. Also, perhaps just as importantly, there are very few progressive young horses in today’s contest. If he repeats his Ascot run, Le Reve has a big chance today off the same mark.

As well as that, he was really impressive at today’s course earlier in the season when he spread-eagled his field. He started to pour it on over the Railway Fences and he just drew steadily further and further clear all the way to the line. He had run well in the Grand Military Gold Cup, also over this course and distance, on his final run of last season, and he hadn’t been disgraced in the Tolworth Hurdle earlier in his career. He clearly goes well at Sandown. If he can get into a good rhythm again today, he should go close.

LE REVE WON (ADV 6/1, SP 5/1)

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