Kempton Preview: Polybius can score for in-form Lanigan

Trainer David Lanigan has his team in flying form and Polybius can defy top-weight to provide him with another winner in the 6f handicap at Kempton today (4.40).

The gelding has won two of his five starts, with both those successes coming on the turf at Windsor.

In the first of those Polybius bolted up by three lengths, travelling strongly throughout before making smooth headway two from home and quickening clear to win easing down.

It was a very taking performance, and one which suggested Polybius needed firmly keeping on side.

The three-year-old then failed to deliver the goods on handicap debut when sent off 7/4 favourite and finishing just fifth, but raced far too keenly and quickly got back on track when settling much better and costing home by 3 1/2 lengths on his penultimate start.

The son of Oasis Dream then didn’t run too badly when turned out quickly under a penalty and finishing fifth of 10 to Fyrecracker in a decent contest at Ascot, and has since been given a break to freshen up.

Although now running off a career-high mark of 94, Polybius remains unexposed and open to further progress and can make his class tell to get back to winning ways.

Freemason ran very well when runner-up last time out and can go one better on handciap debut in the 1m 4f contest (5.10).

The Sir Michael Stoute trained gelding failed by just a nose to overhaul Venturous Spirit in over 1m 1f at Wolverhampton, and the form of the race has worked out well.

The third home Holiday Magic has scored twice since, including on handicap debut off 75, and the fifth home Santa Teresa also won next time up.

It makes the lightly-raced Freemason look potentially very well-treated off an opening mark of just 75, especially now stepped up in trip.

The way in which the son of Cape Cross finIshed off at Wolverhampton suggested he was crying out for it, and with Ryan Moore in the saddle Freemason is going to take all the beating if that proves to be the case.