Yarmouth Preview: Semeen holds solid claims under in-form Atzeni

Trainer Luca Cumani and jockey Andrea Atzeni are a team in fine form and Semeen holds major claims of providing them with another winner in the 1m 6f handicap at Yarmouth today (4.50).

The colt enjoyed a fine 2013 when winning three times and got back to winning ways on his third start this season when scoring in a good style at Ascot on Shergar Cup day.

Semeen made good headway two from home to take up the running at the furlong marker before keeping on well to beat Proud Chieftan by 1 1/2 lengths.

The son of Dubawi was then not at his best last time out at York when finishing just 14th of 16 to Glenard, but was given a strange ride by Richard Hughes who dropped him out after breaking well.

Semeen is definitely better than that, and the smaller field should enable him to get a good early posiition in what looks a weaker contest.

The step up to 1m 6f should also suit as Semeen is out of a sister to connections’ smart stayer Lost Soldier Three, and with the red-hot Andrea Atzeni taking over in the saddle this looks a nice opportunity for the five-year-old to get back to winning ways.

Newmarket based David Lanigan is another trainer in fine form, and his Placidia looks weighted to take the beating in the 1m 3f handicap (4.20).

The filly’s sole success came on the all-weather surface at Lingfield over 1m 2f back in May, and the daughter of Sea The Stars looks potentially well-treated off a mark of 80 based on that effort.

Placidia was always travelling well and after quickening clear at the furlong marker stayed on well to score by a comfortable 2 1/2 lengths from Scallop.

The runner-up went on to bolt up in a maiden before winning a handicap off 84, and the fourth home Allegria also won next time up to give the form a solid look.

Placidia subsequently disappointed on her first two starts in handicaps, before putting in a much better effort last time out at Lingfield when an eye-catching fourth of 12 to Alex Vino.

The three-year-old kept on well to be beaten 1 1/4 lengths after being given plenty to do, and it was an effort which suggested Placidia had a bigger performance in her.