Classic Vintage is fitted with blinkers for the first time today, and looks to have been found a golden opportunity to get back in the winners’ enclosure in the 4.30 at Ffos Las.
Amanda Perrett’s gelding has performed consistently well in strong handicaps and broke a long losing run when getting the better of Granston by a neck over 1m 3f at Haydock last month.
He had subsequent Northumberland Plate winner Tominator (to who he was conceding 2lb) a further 3/4 lengths back in third, and showed plenty of guts and determination to get back up and score.
Things didn’t go according to plan in the Old Newton Cup at the Merseyside track, where he was held up off a muddling pace and got caught flat foot before staying on well to finish just under a four length 7th of 13 to Halicarnassus.
He was then far from disgraced when finishing 7th of 14 to Petra Bay at Glorious Goodwood over 1m 6f where after hitting the front two form home he weakened approaching the final furlong to be beaten just over 5 lengths.
Although below par when finishing just 13th of 20 to Crackentorp at York on his latest start, the handicapper has dropped him another 1b to a mark of 91, and he is now 2lb lower than when a cracking fourth of 22 to Times Up in last year’s November Handicap at Doncaster.
This represents the best opportunity he has had for some time, and at the 6/1 on offer he looks terrific value.
Recommended bet: 4pts win Classic Vintage (6/1 Ladbrokes, Victor Chandler – BOG)