King’s Warrior shaped with bags of promise on his recent reappearance and looks decent value at 17/2 in the 2.15 at York today.
Peter Chapple-Hyam’s lightly raced gelding had some useful form in France, and after some solid runs on his first three starts in this country came good in no uncertain fashion when landing the valuable John Smith’s Cup at this track.
He was held-up at the rear of the field before making smooth headway on the bridle three from home and after leading at the furlong marker quickened clear to score impressively by 4 1/2 lengths from Mid Mon Lady off a mark of 91.
The handicapper whacked him up 10lb for that effort to 101, and he was never able to get competitive off it on his final start of 2012 when 17th of 33 to Bronze Angel in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket.
However the drop back to 1m 1f seemed to be against him that day, and he showed that he could be competitive off his current rating when fourth of 10 to Area Fifty One at Epsom on his reappearance last month.
The six-year-old was held-up well off the pace after being steadied at the start but then made good headway at the two marker and finished with a flourish inside the last to be beaten just over 2 lengths.
He finished with running left in him, and it was an effort which suggested he would be winning more races this season.
The son of Kings Best is yet to win over today’s trip of 1m 4f, but he did finish a solid runner-up to the useful Hammerfest in very testing conditions over 1m 3f at Amiens whilst in France and finished a solid fifth of 13 to Fiery Lad at Epsom over it last June.
A major plus is that he has proven form with cut in the ground, and everything looks in place for a big run.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts win King’s Warrior (17/2 BetVictor – BOG)
