Leicester preview: English Summer handicapped to shine

English Summer has been given a big chance by the assessor and looks weighted to get back on the winning trail in the the 1m 4f handicap on this evening’s card at Leicester (19.55).

The Richard Fahey trained gelding enjoyed a very productive 2014 when winning four times, with the last of those successes coming at Catterick off a handicap mark of 80.

English Summer is now able to race off 3lb lower having posted solid efforts to finish in the frame in two of his last three starts.

The eight-year-old ran particularly well when a 2 3/4 length third to Maid Of Rio in a class 3 contest at Haydock three starts back off 81, and a reproduction of that effort would make English Summer tough to beat in this lower grade class 4 affair.

The son of Montjeu also has the services in the saddle of promising apprentice Samantha Bell who is good value for her 3lb claim, and another plus is that Fahey has a tremendous strike rate with his runners at the venue in the past 12 months.

Fahey has been successful with just over 30% with his raiders, saddling eight winners and five placed from 28 runners, and this looks a nice opportunity for English Summer to add to the tally.

In the 1m 2f contest that closes proceedings (21.00), Cape Rosie could well have got in lightly on handicap debut and can take advantage to open her account.

The Eve Johnson Houghton trained filly has had three quick runs in maidens and posted her best effort yet in the last of those when sixth of 13 to Speedy Boarding in a decent 1m 2f contest at Goodwood.

Cape Rosie gave away ground by racing out wide, but showed plenty of pace to track the leaders before keeping on to be beaten 7 1/2 lengths without being knocked about in any way, shape or form.

The winner has since gone on to land a Listed contest at Newbury and finish fifth in the Irish Oaks and is now rated 105, the runner-up Journey has also won since and is now rated 92, and the fourth home Moruadh has also gone on to taste success.