Fighter Boy has slipped down to a dangerous handicap mark and with blinkers fitted for the first time rates the best bet on today’s Wolverhampton card at 6/1 in the 6/50.
Mick Easterby’s gelding has failed to trouble the judge in six runs this season, but didn’t run too badly three starts back when staying on to finish a never nearer 7th of 11 to Anderiego at York (beaten 7 lengths) in a class 2 contest.
Having started the campaign on a mark of 99 he is now running off a career-low of 65 in a class 6 contest, and having once been rated as high as 107 is potentially thrown-in if recapturing his best form.
The five-year-old was a useful sort when trained by David Barron back in 2010, winning a maiden here before finishing runner-up to Rumoush in a listed contest at Newmarket.
He finished two places in front of Timepiece that day, and although he has not gone on as expected he is now down a a mark off which he cannot be ignored.
His handler has managed to get similar types to bounce back and take advantage time and time again, and to me Fighter Boy looks a plot waiting to happen.
The fitting of the headgear and switch back to the all-weather for the first time since February 2011 suggests today could be the day.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 4pts win Fighter Boy (6/1 Betfred, Paddy Power – BOG)