Red Avenger has been given a chance by the handicapper and looks worth an each-way wager at 25/1 in the 3.20 at Epsom today.
Ed Dunlop’s colt showed progressive form this season, slamming Broughton by 3 lengths on quick ground over 1m 2f at Haydock off a mark of 90 before finishing runner-up in two competitive big field handicaps.
In the first of those he stayed on well to be beaten 6 lengths by the well-treated Maputo off a mark of 96, and the winner has gone on to score in listed and Grouop 3 company on his next two starts so he was far from disgraced in trying to conecede him 1lb.
That was followed by a cracking second of 13 to Broughton at Goodwood where he went down by just 3/4 of a length off a mark of 95, and he was then far from from disgraced in a Group 3 at York when fifth of 7 to City Style where he held every chance until weakening inside the last to be beaten just over 5 lengths and had a tough task at the weights.
Red Avenger was then not at his best when well beaten on his final start of 2013 in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket off amark of 100, and shaped as if needing the run on his reapperance over 1m 2f at this track when never put in the race at any stage and finishing 12th of 14 to Sennockian Star.
The four-year-old is entitled to strip much fitter with that run under his belt, and the handicapper has since dropped hikm 3lb.
He now gets into this off 96, and that looks workable judged on the pick of his form.
Another plus is that he has bagged a good draw in stall 1, and he also has the services of William Buick in the saddle.
In a market which has a very lobsided look to it with the favoruite Abseil looking incredibly short at 2/1, Red Avenger looks overpriced and well worth an each-wager at the odds on offer.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Red Avenger (25/1 Betfred, BetVictor, Ladbrokes, Stan James – BOG)
