Gabrial’s Kaka has plenty going for him in the 3.05 at York today and looks cracking each-way value at 12/1.
Richard Fahey’s charge looked a handicapper going places at the start of the season when finishing an eye-catching sixth in the Lincoln at Doncaster before going on to land the uktra-competitive 23-runner Spring Cup at Newbury off a mark of 95.
The four-year-old showed a smart turn of foot in the latter to beat Spa’s Dancer with more in hand than the 1/2 lengths winning margin suggests and the form has a solid look to it.
The selection was then a shocker of a ride by Jamie Spencer when held-up miles off the pace before running on strongly to go down by just 3/4 of a length to Youartisonfire in a 16-runner contest at Haydock off a rating of 101, and there is little doubt in my mind that he should have won and was the best horse in the race.
Gabrial’s Kaka then didn’t handle the tight turns of Chester when finishing a well beaten fourth of 6 to Noble Mission in the Group 3 Huxley Stakes at Chester, before finishing a never nearer 17th of 28 to Field Of Dream in the Royal Hunt Cup having again been given plenty to do by Spencer and encountering trouble in-running.
The son of Jeremy then got given another terrible ride last time out at Sandown by Frankie Dettori, where he was set an impossible task before staying on strongly to finish a never nearer 4 1/4 length third of 13 to Velox off today’s rating of 103.
That run suggested that his current mark was exploitable, and he now gets the services in the saddle of the highly talented George Chaloner who takes an invaluable 3lb off his back.
Chaloner is terrific value for his claim, and if taking it into account Gabrial’s Kaka is well-weighted on the pick of his form and looks capable of running a huge race on a track which should suit.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Gabrial’s Kaka (12/1 generally available – use BOG firms)