The big betting race of the day is the Imperial Cup at Sandown (3.15) and Kazlian makes plenty of appeal at 9/1 to land the valuable prize for the David Pipe team.
The gelding has not been at his best in two starts this season, but he has come down in the weights as a result, and looks potentially well-treated off a mark of 130 judged on the pick of his form.
The five-year-old was impressive when landing a brace of novice hurdles in the mud at Ffos Las and Leicester, and ran a cracker in the Fred Winter at last year’s Cheltenham Festival when fourth of 24 to Une Artiste off today’s mark.
The gelding travelled strongly at the head of affairs that day and looked home and hosed when he kicked clear three from home.
However it was a move which ultimately cost him the race as he tired approaching the last and after being headed on the flat could find no extra up the hill.
In the end he was beaten just 3 1/2 lengths, but I am sure that if Tom Scudamore could ride the race gain the result would have been different. It was a case of too much being made of the horse too early, and there is no doubt in my mind that despite the end result Kazlian was the best horse in the race.
The four-year-old was then not seen to the best effect on his final start at Aintree, where for some reason he was ridden off the pace before finishing 7th of 21 to Lifestyle.
It seemed to me that the race may have come a bit too soon after his hard run in the Fred Winter, and I am sure that he is better than that.
The testing ground today will hold no fears for him, and given his stable’s exploits in these type of races he looks just the type to bounce back jow that he has been given a chance by the assessor.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Kazlian (9/1 Boylesports, Stan James – BOG)