Kempton Preview: Polytrack specialist Never To Be the one to beat

Never To Be has a terrific record on the polytrack surface and can further enhance it with victory in the 1m handicap at Kempton this evening (7.15).

The John Gosden trained colt has had four starts on the artificial surface, and his form figures read 1,1,2,2.

The second of those successes came in a 7f handicap at this venue where Never to Be overcame trouble in-running before showing a smart turn of foot to score readily by 1 1/2 lengths.

The son of Thewayyouare then didn’t get the best of runs when finishing a length runner-up off 78, again at this venue, and was then on the sidelines for 127 days before finishing a cracking 1 1/2 length second of six to Passing Star on seasonal reappearance over course and distance back in March.

Never To Be was attempting to give the now 102-rated winner 6lb, and it makes the three-year-old look nicely treated off a current mark of 83.

Although Never To Be could finish only fifth of 9 to Lockhart last time out at Yarmouth he pulled hard and kept on without being unduly knocked about, and has failed to make the frame in all three starts on the turf.

Never To Be is clearly a different proposition on the artificial surface, and with William Buick in the saddle looks to have plenty going for him.

In the 6f handicap (8.45), Varsovian is going to be very tough to beat under a 6lb penalty as he bids to follow-up an impressive win over course and distance last week.

The four-year-old, who had been campaigned over 7f and a mile, relished the drop back in trip and showed a nice turn of foot to score readily by two lengths in a good time.

It was a performance which suggested Varsovian was way ahead of the handicapper now that connections have found his ideal trip, and it’s no surprise to see the son of Refuse To Bend turned out quickly under a penalty before the assessor has his say.

Another plus is that Varsovian’s handler Dean Ivory has begun to hit top gear, and from a great draw in stall three everything looks in place for a huge run.