Chepstow preview: Desdichado poised to follow-up

Desdichado showed a good attitude when scoring last time out and looks weighted to follow-up in the 1m 4f handicap on today’s card at Chepstow (16.40).

The Ralph Beckett trained colt shaped as if badly needing the experience when well-beaten on debut, and duly left that run well behind when winning over 1m 2f on soft ground at Ffos Las last month.

After being held-up, the three-year-old made stealthy headway from the three furlong marker to lead inside the last an beat Mr Quicksilver by 1 1/2 lengths.

Desdichado still showed distinct signs of greenness, but was going away at the finish and looks sure to appreciate the further step up in trip this afternoon.

The son of Pivotal looks the type who has plenty more to offer and will go on progressing, and the testing conditions at the track will clearly hold no fears.

An opening handicap of mark of 80 also looks very exploitable given that Desdichado beat a rival rated the same in comprehensive fashion, and with Pat Dobbs in the saddle he is going to be very hard to beat.

Krafty One disappointed last time out but looks worth another chance in the 1m 2f handicap (17.10). The filly hinted at ability in maidens when under the care of John Gosden, most notably when sixth of 12 to the now 96-rated Wordcraft in a decent 7f contest at Newmarket.

Allotted with an opening handicap mark of 61 on the back of that effort, the horse ran well off it when an eye-catching fifth of 14 to Bakt A Rawan over 1m at Nottingham.

The three-year-old kept on nicely under tender handling after being slowly-away, and duly took another step forward when posting a career-best effort to chase home Sampera in a 1m 2f contest at Beverley on her final start for Gosden back in July.