Redcar Preview: Artful Prince ready to rule

Artful Prince shaped as if coming back to form last time out and looks decent value to exploit a drop in class and get back to winning ways in the 1m 2f handicap at Redcar today (4.35).
The James Given trained gelding responded well to the fitting of blinkers when winning five times in the second half of 2013, with the last of those successes coming at Newcastle off a mark of 71.

The five-year-old has been a bit hit and miss this season, but did post three really solid efforts to be placed in June/July and after a couple of below par runs caught the eye last time out at York when sixth of 15 to Cosmic Halo in a class 4 contest.

The son of Dutch Art raced up with the pace, and after taking up the running at the furlong marker only weakened late on to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths.

It was an effort which suggested Artful Prince was ready to go in again, and the handicapper has since dropped him 1lb to 74.

That is just 3lb higher than when last successful, and gives Artful Prinbce a big shout at the weights now dropped down a grade into class 5 company.

In the 5f handicap (4.00), Storyline has secured a great draw and is fancied to bang out and make all.

High numbers are usually favoured at the track, and from stall 14 the Tim Easterby trained filly could take some pegging back if attacking from the off.

The daughter of Kodiac scored over course and distance on handicap debut when flashing from the gates to make all and win easing down by 2 1/4 lengths from Scoreline off a mark of 58.

Storyline backed that up with a solid fourth off a revsied rating of 65, again over course and distance, and now gets into this of 63.

That looks a workable mark judged on the manner of her victory back here in May, especially as the three-year-old remains relatively unexposed after just eight starts and open to further improvement.

Rich Again takes a drop in grade in the 6f handicap that closes proceedings (5.35) and looks weighted to go well at a big price.

The James Bethell trained gelding got back on the scoresheet when landing a class 4 contest at Haydock back in July, and now gets into this lower grade class 6 affair off just 1lb higher.