Leicester Preview: Askaud ready to lay down the Law

Leicester stage a marathon eight-race card today, and course specialist Askaud looks value to beat the favourite Crowley’s Law in the 7f feature race (3.55).

The Scott Dixon trained mare was in rude health last season when bagging three handicaps.

Two of those successes came over course and distance, and the six-year-old finished an excellent runner-up in a Listed contest on her only other visit to the venue.

That run came three starts back, where Askaud stayed on well to be beaten three lengths by Eton Forever.

The winner gave that form a boost when finishing an excellent third in a Group 3 contest at Haydock, and Askaud has since run well in two subsequent outings.

The daughter of Iffraj has to give 7lb to the progressive Crowley’s Law, but that is negated by the claim of her young promising rider Matthew Hopkins and Askaud could prove difficult to peg back if allowed her own ay up front on a track which she clearly loves.

In the 7f handicap (4.25), Fieldgunner Kirkup looks weighted to get back to winnings ways now dropped in class.

The David Barron trained gelding was last successful when landing a class 4 contest at Redcar last April, where he held on gamely to beat Gloriam by a length off a mark of 82.

Fieldgunner Kirkup went on to finish a good third to Rasman at Ayr off 85, and now gets into this class 5 affair off just 74.

That gives the six-year-old major claims at the weights on the pick of his form, and he has looked to be working his way back to form in his last two starts.

Another well-handicapped horse in Amethyst Dawn who runs in the 7f contest that closes proceedings (6.05).

The mare has not been at her best in two runs this year, but has become very well-treated as a result and has now rejoined trainer Tim Easterby who did well with her earlier in her career.

The eight-year-old won won a 6f contest at Wolverhampton last April off a mark of 63 and went on to run some solid races to finish in the frame, including when second to Menelik over 7f at Lingfield off 66 in a class 5 contest.