Leicester Preview: Pink Diamond can sparkle again

Trainer Eve Johnson Houghton has her team in good form at present, and Pink Diamond holds outstanding claims of providing her with another winner in the 1m 2f handicap (9:00) at Leicester this evening.

This filly hinted at ability in three maiden runs before putting up an improved showing when winning on handicap debut at Salisbury after being well-backed.

The daughter of Champs Elysees found plenty when challenged inside the final furlong before staying on strongly to beat Eugenic by 3/4 of a length, scoring with more in hand than the winning margin suggests.

Pink Diamond was going away at the finish, and left the distinct impression that there was plenty of petrol left in the tank.

This three-year-old has been hit with a 5lb rise for that success, but that could well be on the lenient side given Pink Diamond’s unexposed profile.

The booking of six times champion jockey Kieren Fallon also catches the eye and, in a class 5 contest that lacks any real strength in depth, Pink Diamond looks sure to take all the beating.

Burnhope has dropped to a career-low rating and can take advantage to score an overdue success in the opening 7f handicap (5.45).

The Scott Dixon trained gelding has not won since landing a class 4 contest at Kempton back in January 2013, where he beat Profile Star by a neck off a mark of 70.

This five-year-old now gets into a lower grade class 6 affair 17lb lighter, and that gives Burnhope a huge chance from a handicapping perspective.

The son of Choisir has been very disappointing this year, apart from when running well to finish third over 6f at Nottingham on his penultimate outing, and that run showed that all was not lost.

With the hood now fitted for the first time, Burnhope looks dangerously well-treated in what is a very weak looking contest if the headgear has the desired effect.

In the 7f handicap (7.20), Bold Lass looks potentially ahead of her mark and rates a solid bet now back on a track where she has produced her best two performances.