Back To Bracka has shaped as if potentially ahead of his mark and looks decent value at 11/2 in the 4.45 at Ayr today.
Lucinda Russell’s gelding craeted a good impression when winning on his second start over fences at Wetherby.
The eight-year-old made smooth headway from the rear after a mistake at the sixth to take up the running two from home and beat Tresor De Bontee with more in hand than the 2 3/4 length winning margin suggests.
Back To Bracka was then unlucky to unseat his rider at Haydock five from home when making good headway and looking threatening, as a horse jumped into him and Craig Nichol had no chance of staying in the saddle.
The selection then disappointed when jumping badly and before being pulled-up at Wetherby, but jumped much better last time out over course and distance before unseating two from home in a race won by Yes Tom.
Back To Bracka had made good headway from the rear and was mounting a strong challenge and just a length behind the eventual winner when coming to grief, and I felt he had running left in him and would have gone close to landing the spoils had he stood on his feat.
If that’s the case, then Back To Bracka could be well-treated off just 1lb higher (130), and he also has assistance of the highly talented Craig Nichol in the saddle who is terrific value for his 3lb claim.
Providing his jumping holds-up, I think Back To Bracka is the one they all have to beat.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts win Back To Bracka (11/2 Stan James – BOG)