Gilbey’s Mate looks on a handy mark in the 5.20 at Doncaster today, and worth siding with at 9/1 now fitted with the cheekpieces for the first time.
The John Gosden trained gelding is a progressive sort who won a Catterick maiden on soft ground by seven lengths on his final start last season and made a promisng return to action last when fourth of 11 at Nottingham on handicap debut off a mark of 79.
That race was over a mile on quick ground, and Gilbey’s Mate ran on strongly from off the pace to be beaten just 1 1/2 lengths by Donny Rover.
It was an effort which suggested the son of Medicean was one to keep onside in handicaps, and he confirmed that view last time out over course and distance when a 1 1/2 length runner-up to Lesha.
The three-year-old raced prominently that day, and led a furlong from home until being unable to find any extra inside the last.
To me he seemd to raced lazily, and the application of the cheekpieces looks a shrewd move and could well enable him to improve further.
The form of that race also doesn’t have too bad a look to it as the winner has gone on to be beaten a short-head by Beach Bar (who has solid form in the book) in a decent class 3 contest at Haydock.
It suggests that Gilbey’s Mate should be capable of winning races from his current mark of 79, and with William Buick in the saddle a big run looks on the cards in this class 4 contest.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts each-way Gilbey’s Mate (9/1 Hills – BOG)
