Piscean has become dangerously well-treated and with Oisin Murphy in the saddle is strongly fancied at 15/2 to take advantage in the 2.20 at Kempton today.
Tom Keddy’s gelding isn’t getting any younger at the age of nine, but showed that he remained a force to be reckoned with last year when posting some solid efforts.
He won at Wolverhampton last January off a mark of 98, and then finished a fine second of 10 to all-weather specialist Tarooq at Lingfield off 100.
The son of Stravinsky went on to land a class 2 handicap on the turf at Goodwood by a head from Prodigality, after which his form tailed off.
He was then off the track for 105 days after a diaappointing effort at Wolverhampton in October, before finishing a not knocked about 8th of 12 to Rivellino at Lingfield.
That was followed by an eye-catching run over 6f at this track where was beaten just 2 1/4 lengths despite finishing only 7th of 10 to Upavon.
Held-up at the rear that day, he ran on inside the final furlong under a kid glove ride and finished with plenty of running left in him.
It was an effort which suggested he was nearing his peak, and with those two runs under his belt he should now be spot on to do himself justice.
He then disappointed next time up over 6f here, before putting in a much better effort last time out over 7f at Lingfield when staying on late to finish a never nearer 4 lengths fifth of 9 to Purcell.
The handicapper has since dropped him a further 2lb to a mark of 88, and that makes him look dangerously well-treated on the pick of his form.
Other pluses are that he is a course and distance winner and has the services of Oisin Murphy in the saddle who is unbelievable value for his 3lb claim.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 2pts win Piscean (15/2 Paddy Power – BOG)