Distant Past and Lunar Deity among best bets for Leicester

David Metcalf | September 19, 2016

Distant Pass ready to cut a dash

Trainer Kevin Ryan has his team in good shape and Distant Past looks decent value to provide him with another winner in the 5f handicap on today’s card at Leicester (15.30).

The five-year-old was last successful at Musselburgh 15 months ago when scoring by 1 3/4 lengths off a mark of 85 and went on to finish a fine 3/4 length runner-up to Midlander in a class 2 contest at Ascot off 91.

Distant Past is now able to race in this lower grade class 3 contest off 83, 2lb lower than when last successful, and comes into the race having run a stormer to finish third of 19 to Perfect Cracker in the valuable Scurry Handicap at the Curragh when last seen in action.

The gelding was not ideally drawn and was forced to make his challenge away from the main group and, given the way the race panned out, it was a really solid effort in what was a very competitive contest which has thrown-up plenty of subsequent winners.

This represents a slight ease in grade and Distant Past is now reunited with jockey Shane Gray, who has a 33 per cent strike rate on him.

The selection has also bagged what looks a good draw in stall 16 and everything looks in place for a huge run.

Lunar Deity can cash-in on class drop

In the 7f apprentice handicap (17.00), Lunar Deity can take advantage of a big drop in class to land the spoils.