The well handicapped First In Command looks to have been found a great opportunity to score and overdue success in the finale at Southwell (4.20) today and is of major interest at 11/2.
Daniel Loughnane’s charge is a useful sort on his day and has dropped to a career low mark as a result of a losing steak stretching back two year’s.
His last win came off a mark of 76 over 6f at Doncaster back in July 2009, but he has run well since on plenty of occasions of marks as high as 81 and runs off just 55 today.
The gelding was a good third off 69 to Darcey at Wolverhampton last October when a well backed 5/1 favourite and followed that run up with a head second to White Daffodil in an apprentice handicap at the Curragh of 71.
He has failed to perform up to that level this season, but has handicap mark has plummeted as a result and he really caught the eye on his last run at Kempton when fourth of 10 to Vhujon.
The six-year-old travelled ominously well in midfield before finding himseld short of room as his jockey manoeuvred to the inside two from home to try and get a run.
When the gap did eventually materialise he was unable to quicken and could only keep on at the one pace to be beaten three lengths.
However what was encouraging was the way in which he cruised into contention, and the fact that he was heavily backed into 7/2 favourite suggests to me that connections believe he is now ready to take advantage of his lowly mark.
It’s also interesting that connections are now fitting him with blinkers, and if they have the desired effect he is clearly the one they all have to beat.
For me he rates the best bet on the card, and although bet365 are currently the only firm to have priced up the contest their 11/2 on offer looks fair and they do offer best odds guaranteed.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 5pts win First In Command (11/2 bet365 – BOG)
