Wetherby preview: Kaki De La Pree to cash-in on class drop

David Metcalf | November 25, 2015

Kaki De La Pree can take advantage of a drop in class to open his account over fences in the 3m beginners’ chase on today’s card at Wetherby (13.20).

The Tom Symonds trained gelding was a useful hurdler who made a fine start to chasing last term when finishing in the frame on three occasions.

In the last of those over 3m 1f at this venue, the eight-year-old ran a blinder to finish runner-up to Ned Stark in Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase.

Kaki De La Pree went down fighting by just a neck, and the front two pulled 17 lengths clear of the field to give the form a solid look.

It was a performance which suggested Kaki De La Pree would have little difficulty winning races this season and was one to keep onside.

The son of Kapgarde now returns to action in what looks a very winnable class 4 contest and, granted a clear round, Kaki De La Pree can take this en route to much better things.

Cleve Cottage a clear contender

In the 2m handicap hurdle (15.00), Cleve Cottage is a fascinating contender on his return to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The Phil Kirby trained gelding shaped with plenty of promise when placed in three bumpers but failed to live up to expectations in five starts over hurdles in 2013/14.

However, having been allotted an opening handicap mark of 104 Cleve Cottage is now able to race off just 90 and that makes him potentially dangerously well-treated on his bumper form.