Ballyvesey looks worth another chance at 8/1 to cash-in on his falling handicap mark in the 3.30 at Plumpton today.
Peter Bowen’s charge has not scored since winning a novice chase at Ffos Las back in 2011, where he made all and ran on gamely to beat The Rainbow Hunter by 3/4 of a length off an official rating of 118.
However he has run a number of solid races to be placed, including when runner-up in the 2011 running of the Summer National at Uttoxter and when third to West End Rocker in the class 1 listed Becher Chase at Aintree in the same year off a mark of 125 on both occasions.
His form has been very patchy suince then, but he did put up a decent effort last July when runner-up to Emmaslegend in the class 1 listed Summer Cup at Uttoxeter off a rating of 115.
The eight-year-old was well beaten on his seasonal reapperance at Uttoxter in July, but he was entitled to need that run after 233 days on the sidelines and the assessor was quick to drop him 8lbs to a mark of 107.
He was then well supported last time out at Newton Abbot when sent off the 3/1 favourite, but after tracking the winner he got outpaced three from home an weakened to finish a well-beaten thrid of 8 to Western King.
To me he ran as if still in need of the run that day, and he should strip much fitter this afternoon now that he has those two spins under his belt.
The eight-year-old gets into this class 4 contest off the same mark, and at the odds on offer is simply too well-treated to ignore in this line-up.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts win Ballyvesey (8/1 bet365 – BOG)
