Wolverhampton Preview: Lacey handicapped to strike

Lacey looks decent value to take advantage of a drop in the weights in the 1m 6f handicap on this evening’s seven-race card at Wolverhampton (7.20).

The Andrew Hollinshead trained gelding was last successful over course and distance back In October when slamming Fire In Babylon by five lengths off a mark of 56.

The five-year-old went on to finish a fair third to Singzak, again over course and distance, off a rating of 64 and now runs off 57.

That is just 1lb higher than when last successful, and gives Lacey excellent claims at the weights if handling the new Tapeta surface at the Midlands’ venue.

Although not at her best last time out at Southwell, Lacey has since been given a 60 day break to freshen up and has won off a similar lay-off in the past.

The daughter of Rail Link also has the services of Kevin Stott in the saddle whose claim takes another 5lb off her back, and everything points to a big run.

Gypsy Rider is the first runner for trainer Henry Tett in the 7f handicap (8.20) and holds leading claims of providing the rookie handler with a dream winning start to his new career.

Tett has spent the last three years working as Assistant Trainer to the late John Hills in Lambourn, and in Gypsy rider has inherited a horse that has become well-handicapped.

The gelding’s last success came in a 7f handicap at Brighton just over 12 months ago when trained by Richard Curtis, where he ran on strongly to score by a neck off a mark off 53.

The five-year-old is now able to race off 2lb lower, and had been shaping well prior to finding the mile trip too far when last seen in action at Brighton.

Gypsy Rider has since been given a 76 day break to freshen-up, and that may well be a plus as the son of Ishiguru has won after a break before.

The drop back to 7f will also be in Gypsy Rider’s favour, if if taking to the new surface he is weighted to take all the beating.