Double Czech looks worth another chance at 10/1 in the 1.30 at Bath today to capitalise on what could be a lenient handicap mark.
The son of Bushranger had just five runs for Amanda Perrett last season and shaped with promise on the first three without troubling the judge.
He ran far better than the bare result indicates on the last of those when fourth of 7 to Fire Fighting over 7f at Epsom where he showed plenty of pace to track the winner and after being ridden to try and make a challange two from home got bumped with a furlong to run before weakening to be beaten just over 10 lengths.
However he was not knocked about and allowed to come home in his own time once it was clear he would not be winning, and it was an effort which suggested to me that he was one to keep on side when going handicapping.
He then disappointed on his handicap debut at Goodwood when dropped back to 6f, but then put in his best effort yet on his final start last year when upped back up to a mile and finishing fourth of 15 to Rising Dawn at Chepstow.
Having raced close up behind the pace he kept on nicely to be beaten 3 1/4 lengths, leaving the distinct impression that he would be capable of winning races as a three-year-old.
Now in the care of Pat Chammings, he disappointed last time out on his seasonal reapperance on the ploytrack at Lingfield when I put him up at 12/1 and he was punted into 5s.
That race was over 7f, and after racing in touch he weakened badly a furlong from home to traul in 8th of 11.
However, it may well be that he needed the run after 209 days on the sidelines and he has since been dropped 2lb to a mark of 66.
That should be exploitable judged on his Chepstow run, and it may well be that the return to this afternoon’s mile trip will see him in a far better light.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Double Czech (10/1 Coral – BOG)
