Towcester and Wincanton previews: Suit fits the bill

Seymour Eric weighted to strike

In the 2m handicap hurdle (15.15), Seymour Eric can take advantage of a massive drop in the weights to get back to winning ways.

The gelding thrived when joining Martin Keighley and winning five races in 2012/13.

Three of those wins came on heavy ground, and the last of Seymour Eric’s successes came in a class 3 contest at Ayr off a mark of 135.

The 11-year-old is now able to race off a mark of just 110, 25lb lower than when last victorious.

It gives Seymour Eric major claims from a handicapping perspective, and although he pulled-up last time out on return to action after a lengthy lay-off he is entitled to strip much fitter for that outing.

This class 4 contest is also the weakest race Seymour Eric has contested for some time, and with underfoot conditions holding no fears the son of Bollin Eric looks capable of giving weight and a beating to all his rivals.

Towcester selections:

13.10: Navanman
13.40: Caitys Joy
14.10: Basford Ben
14.40: Suit Yourself (NAP)
15.15: Seymour Eric (NB)
15.50: Olympian Boy
16.25: Informationisking

Gores Island has plenty going for him at Wincanton

Gores Island looks decent value to cash-in on a drop in the weights and land the 2m 4f handicap chase on today’s card at Wincanton (15.40).

The Gary Moore trained gelding is a dual winner over fences on heavy ground, with the last of those successes coming over 2m at this venue 13 months ago, where he battled on tenaciously to score by 1/2 a length off a mark of 127.

Gores Island got put up to 134 for that victory and was far from disgraced off his revised rating when 10th of 20 to Irish Cavalier in a hot Listed class 1 handicap at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 10-year-old then failed to sparkle in two subsequent outings, but there was plenty to like about his comeback run when third on good ground at Kempton.

Gores Island backed that up with a decent third to the progressive Doctor Phoenix at Lingfield, and was then far from disgraced when making some costly errors and finishing third to Balgarry at Taunton.

Prior to being brought down last time out, Gorse Island had also ran very well when third to Mon Successeur in a decent contest at Ascot and he is now able to race off 2lb lower.

Gores Island’s current rating of 124 is 3lb lower than when last victorious, and it gives the son of Beneficial major claims at the weights of gaining a deserved success.

Lifeboat Mona can sail to success

In the 2m 5f novices’ hurdle that opens proceedings (13.30), Lifeboat Mona can bounce back from a disappointing effort last time out to get back to winning ways now dropped significantly in class.

The Paul Nicholls trained mare was a very smart bumper performer last season, and looked a nice propsect when making a winning debut over hurdles over course and distance on return to action in December.

Lifeboat Mona cruised clear from two out to easily beat Jully Les Buxy by five lengths, and connections decided to pitch her straight into Listed company on the back of a most taking performance.

However, that step up in grade proved too much for the six-year-old and, after never travelling at any stage, Lifeboat Mona was pulled-up in a race at Taunton won by Myska.

That run was too bad to be true, and Lifeboat Mona can prove it to be all wrong now dropped down into the much calmer waters of class 4 company.

Wincanton selections:

13.30: Lifeboat Mona (NB)
14.00: Pressurize
14.30: Crin Au Vent
15.05: Baoulet Delaroque
15.40: Gores Island ((NAP)
16.15: Join Together
16.50: Baby Sherlock

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