Redcar preview: Denton Dawn weighted to open account

Denton Dawn shaped with promise last time out and looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights to open his account in the 7f handicap on today’s card at Redcar (17.50).

The Michael Dods trained gelding had some useful juvenile form to his name last year when finishing runner-up in his first two starts.

Denton Dawn was then clearly not right on his final start of the campaign when sent off a heavily-backed favourite and finishing a disappointing fourth at Newcastle, and was subsequently on the sidelines for 315 days.

The three-year-old also failed to shine on his first two starts this season, but there was much more to like about his latest effort over 6f at Thirsk when keeping on nicely under tender handling to finish a never nearer 4 3/4 length sixth of 10.

It was an effort which suggested Denton Dawn would appreciate a step up to 7f, and the assessor has since dropped him another 5lb.
Having started life of in handicaps on a rating of 75, the son of Fast Company is now running off just 62.

It makes Denton Dawn well-treated on his juvenile form, and he remains unexposed after just six starts and open to further improvement.
Dods also looks to hold leading claims of landing the 6f handicap earlier on the card (15.20) with Buccaneers Vault.

The gelding won on his debut as a juvenile when staying on strongly to beat Realtra over 5f at Beverley and went on to be placed on several occasions. They include a third at Newcastle off a mark of 85, and the three-year-old is now able to race off just 72.

That gives Buccaneers Vault a big shout at the weights, and he comes into the contest on the back of an eye-catching effort when a 2 1/4 length fourth at Newcastle.

Buccaneers Vault travelled powerfully into the contest, but jockey Paul Mulrennan delayed his move and allowed the leaders to steal a vital couple of lengths approaching the final furlong.