Ludlow preview: King Massini to rule again

David Metcalf | December 2, 2015

King Massini scored in good style last time out and can make light of a rise in the weights to follow-up in the 3m 1f handicap chase on today’s card at Ludlow (14.10).

The Evan Williams trained gelding developed into a useful chaser in 2013 when winning three times, with his last success coming off a mark of 120 at this venue when easily beating Rydalis by seven lengths.

King Massini got whacked up 11lb to 131 for that victory and endured a long losing run as a result.

However, the nine-year-old finally took advantage of a drop in the weights to land a gamble over course and distance last month when cosily beating Rockiteer by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 115.

King Massini has been put up 8lb to 123 for that success, but remains well-treated on the pick of his back form and it may not be enough to stop him going in again.

Another plus is that the son of Dr Massini has an excellent record at the venue, having won three times and been placed once in eight starts. The stable is also in terrific form at present, and everything points to a huge run.

Dusky Legend to make successful return

In the 2m mares’ handicap hurdle (13.40), Dusky Legend can take advantage of what looks a very lenient mark to make a winning return to action.

The Alan King trained five-year-old is a bumper winner who shaped with bags of promise when runner-up on all three starts over hurdles last winter. In the last of those, Dusky Legend stayed on well to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths by The Govaness in a 16-runner contest at Towcester.