Brighton preview: Ladweb weighted to strike

Ladweb posted a cracking effort when runner-up last time out, and looks weighted to go one better in the 5f handicap on today’s card at Brighton (17.50).

The John Gallagher trained gelding was last successful at Bath 18 months ago when scoring by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 79.

Ladweb went on to finish runner-up twice off 84, and also ran very well over the minimum trip at Goodwood when keeping on well to be beaten just a length in a class 3 contest on soft ground off 85.

The five-year-old is now able to race in this class 5 affair off 73, 6lb lower than when last successful, and comes in the contest having signalled his time was near when chasing home Threave at Sandown.

Ladweb travelled strongly throughout but was unable to match the winner’s turn of foot when headed inside the final furlong and beatgen two lengths.

Threave, who was receiving 1lb from Ladweb, has gone on to score again since and is now rated 89.

That gives the form a rock solid solid look and suggests that the assessor has taken a real chance in leaving Ladweb’s mark unchanged.

In the 7f handicap (17.20), Saint Pois can gain a deserved success.

The gelding was a three-time winner when trained in France, and was allotted an opening handicap mark of 89 after joining trainer Tony Carroll.

Although yet to get his head in front in 13 starts for his new handler, Saint Pois has posted some really sold efforts to make the frame in three of his last four starts.

They include a excellent second at Newmarket off 70, and a solid third at Chepstow off 72 last time out.