Kempton and Yarmouth previews: Curriculum to teach rivals a lesson

The mare has some useful form to her name in France and Germany before joining trainer Seamus Durack and finishing third of 10 to California in a hot handicap at Ascot last month.

Lovely Story attempted to make all and only got headed inside the last 100 yards to be beaten 1 1/2 lengths.

It was a terrific effort following 330 days on the sidelines and the winner has subsequently gone on to land a Group 3 contest at Goodwood.

That represents very strong form and makes Lovely Story the one to beat now eased significantly in grade.

Kempton selections

18.10: Gunner Moyne
18.40: Snow Squaw
19.10: Curriculum (NAP)
19.40: Fly
20.10: Lovely Story (NB)
20.40: Angrywhitepyjamas
21.10: Finelcity

Captain Bob weighted to collect at Yarmouth

Captain Bob was a big eye-catcher last time out and can capitalise on a drop in the weights to score an overdue success in the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Yarmouth (19.20).

The gelding is on a long losing run having not scored since landing a class 3 contest at Sandown off a mark of 83 back in June 2014 when trained by Charlie Hills.

However, the five-year-old did run some solid races to make the frame last season off marks of 86 and 87, and is now able to race in this class 5 contest off a reduced rating of just 73.

That is a career-low and gives Captain Bob, who is now in the care of Robert Cowell, outstanding claims at the weights.

The son of Dark Angel also comes into the race having posted an improved effort over 5f at Beverley when getting outpaced before staying on strongly to finish a 2 1/2 length fourth to Bond Bombshell.

It was an effort which suggested Captain Bob was coming to the boil and if building on it he is going to take all the beating in the hands of champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa now stepped back up to a more suitable trip.

Sacred Harp to call the tune in finale

Sacred Harp looks on a handy mark and decent value to open her account in the 5f handicap that brings proceedings to a close (20.20).

The filly failed to trouble the judged in three starts last season for Charlie Appleby but did hint at ability.

On her second start over 6f, she raced keenly until getting shuffled back into mid-division and, after trying to make a move two from home, was eased in the final 100 yards once it was clear she would be winning to finish a 6 3/4 length ninth of 11 to Rebel Surge.

The winner is a useful sort now rated 87, and the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth have all won since.

Sacred Harp was allotted an opening handicap mark of 61 on the back of that effort and ran really well off it when runner-up at Nottingham on her first start for trainer Stuart Williams back in May.

The three-year-old then failed to shine in her next two starts but got back on track when a close-up fourth at Leicester last time out and should be up to winning a race of this nature off a mark of just 59 on the pick of her form.

Yarmouth selections

17.20: The Ducking Stool
17.50: Iconic Belle
18.20: Courtsider
18.50: Aflame
19.20: Captain Bob (NAP)
19.50: Cosmopolitan Girl
20.20: Sacred Harp (NB)

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