Cheer Up Luca! Cumani colt among C4 Racing best bets
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Luca Cumani has had a tough time of it lately, so it’s pleasing that he is expected to land the big Newbury handicap on Channel 4’s Ayr Gold Cup undercard.
Earlier this week long-time stable supporter Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al-Maktoum removed his entire string from Cumani’s yard, including King George-winner and Arc hopeful Postponed.
Luckily for Luca some comfort is expected to be forthcoming, with the trainer’s Laurence one of our trio of best bets before the Ayr Gold Cup.
Likely favourite Priceless scored with any amount in hand on her racecourse debut, but quite what that means is uncertain given none of her foes have run again since.
The Ann Duffield trained Silhuette is now unbeaten in two races (both coming at this trip) and rates a solid alternative at several times the former’s likely SP.
Unilit, second on soft ground in the most recent of those outings, went on to score in her next assignment to give the form an element of solidity.
A daughter of crack miler Canford Cliffs, a Coventry winner over 6f as a juvenile, the quicker ground should be in her favour here and a big run is expected with another race’s-worth of experience under her belt.
Bryan Smart’s unbeaten two-year-old doesn’t have the proven group race credentials of Gimcrack minor medallists Ribchester and Raucous.
However, much like Silhuette, the Smart colt has a more enticing price, with reason to suspect that he was better than his most recent victory suggests.
Impeded by the fatal fall of Rogues Gallery at Chester, his trainer told reporters afterwards that King Robert had hated the track’s famously tight curves.
Newbury’s more galloping layout should play to his strengths, while he won’t be inconvenienced by the expected soft ground having scored on it on the Roodee.
The Luca Cumani yard have booted in eight winners and two thirds with their last 21 runners and their Laurence is nicely weighted to make light of a 5lb penalty.
As a three-year-old he is the beneficiary of a 6lb weight-for-age allowance, which should allow his good form to continue.
Bedford House stables handler Cumani has enjoyed himself in this particular contest in recent years with three winners and two placed horses form eight runners in the last seven years and is expected to add to his total.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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