Brighton Preview: Sweeping has Rock solid claims

Sweeping Rock has been running well of late and can gain a deserved success in the 1m 4f handicap at Brighton today (3.20) in a race which should be run to suit.

The Marcus Tregoning trained gelding showed improved form when staying on strongly to score by 3 1/4 lengths on fast ground at Bath over 1m 4f back in July off a mark of 52, and has run well to be placed in two of his three subsequent starts off his current rating of 60.

In the last of those, the son of Rock Of Gibraltar went down by just a length when third of six to Glens Wobbly over 1m 5f at Bath.

That run suggested that a drop back to this afternoon’s trip of 1m 4f would suit, and Sweeping Rock will also be better suited by a stronger gallop which he looks sure to get this afternoon.

With three confirmed front runners in the field in the shape of Highlife Dancer, Megalala and Snow Conditions likely to take each other on at the head of affairs the race may well be set up for a closer and Sweeping Rock fits that bill.

The four-year-old also has the servicse of Cam Hardie in the saddle who is terrific value for his 5lb claim, and taking that into account Sweeping Rock is just 3lb higher than when last successful and looks weighted to take all the beating.

In the 7f handicap (4.20), Burnhope could take some pegging having fallen a long way in the weights.

The Scott Dixon trained gelding is on a long losing run, having not scored since landing a class 4 contest at at Kempton back in January 2013 off a mark of 70.

The son of Choisir now gets into this lower grade class 6 affair of 17lb lower, and that gives Burnhope a huge chance from a handicapping perspective if putting his best foot forward.

It’s fair to day that Burnhope has been disappointing this year, but he showed that all was not lost when third at Leicester last time out and is dangerously well-treated if building on that effort.
Dusty Storm runs off a career-low mark in the 5f contest that closes the card (5.20) and can take advantage to land the spoils.

The filly won a nursery as a juvenile off a rating of 72, and posted some solid efforts to be placed last year off higher marks.