As might be expected, in a 0-60 amateur
riders’ handicap, worth less than £3,000 to the winner, recent
winning form in the Betway Stayers’ Amateur Riders’ Handicap
(3.10) at Lingfield on Wednesday is in short supply. However, one
horse who appears to have brighter prospects than most is Evan
Williams’ 4-year-old gelding, Knab Rock, due to be ridden by
his daughter Isabel.
The son of Mastercraftsman didn’t see
a racecourse until August, when finishing third of six, beaten 8
lengths, behind Dorette in a ‘bumper’, over 2 miles 1 furlongs at
Newton Abbott. He failed to make much of an impact in three novice
stakes races – including two over a woefully inadequate 7½
furlongs – at Ffos Las and Chepstow in September but, after a
52-day break, ran with much more promise on his handicap debut, over
course and distance, 15 days ago.
Ridden by Shane Kelly on that occasion,
Knab Rock was held up in the last pair and, when asked for an effort
inside the final quarter of a mile, kept on to finish fifth of 10,
beaten 2¾ lengths, behind the gambled-on Lumen. Despite failing to
trouble the judge, he was, nevertheless, closing on the winner at the
finish and, after just four starts on the level, may be capable of
better yet.
He’s clearly no world-beater, but
he’s been dropped 2lb in the weights for his latest effort so, with
Isabel Williams capable of riding at 9st 8lb – and, therefore, able
to claim her full 3lb allowance – he must surely have a decent
chance of winning an ordinary race, in which his rivals are fully
exposed as moderate, at best.
Selection: Lingfield 3.10 Knab
Rock to win 14-1
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