Kempton Preview: Opera Box ready to call the tune

Newmarket trainer Marcus Tregoning is enjoying a good spell at present and Opera Box looks weighted to give him another winner in the 1m 3f handicap at Kempton this evening (7.45).

The mare is back down to her last winning mark and shaped with bags of promise after a summer break when fourth of nine to Famous Kid over course and distance last month.

Opera Box was not ideally placed in a slowly run contest, and after being held-up off the pace stayed on to be beaten just two lengths.

The six-year-old closed all the way to the line without being unduly knocked about and is sure to strip much fitter given it was her first run for 123 days.

Another plus is that Opera Box is now reunited with George Baker for the first time this season as he was onboard when the daughter of Singspiel was last successful.
In the 7f nursery (7.15), Bravo Zolo could well have got in lightly and is going to take the world of beating.

The Marco Botti trained colt confirmed the promise of his debut when beating Strong Chemistry in a conditions contest over course and distance last month, and the runner-up gave the form a solid look by going on to bolt up in a maiden by six lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Bravo Zolo could be an above average sort, and the fact that the son of Rip Van Winkle holds an entry in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy suggests he is held in high regard.

The handicapper certainly appears to have taken a massive chance in allotting the two-year-old an opening mark of just 82, and it will be a major surprise if Bravo Zolo does not take advantage to land the spoils before going on to better things.

Course winner Lord Of The Dance runs off a career-low mark in the 7f handicap (8.45) and looks a bit of value to score an overdue success.

Mick Mullineaux’s gelding thrived during 2013 when constantly defying the handicapper to score six times.

In the last of those successes, Lord Of The Dance slammed Karaka Jack by seven lengths off a mark of 82 in the 7f amateur riders’ handicap at Ascot.