Darkness can brighten punters' day with a long overdue return to the winners' circle in the Jeremy Bradbeer Memorial Handicap (3.29, NAP) at Nottingham today.
Not since August last year has the David O'Meara-trained gelding clinched a victory when causing a 25-1 upset at Goodwood. His handicap mark rose to 94 and it has remained too high since, until today when he drops in class to tackle the 1m contest off 84.
Nottingham NAP selection
On his latest start he ran with credit to finish fourth in a Class 2 event at Goodwood in September. Today's race is a Class 4 and he is the standout pick among company he has not kept for more than three years.
Kempton return to form
At Kempton Goldwork looks ready to return to winning form in the Get Daily Price Boosts at Unibet Handicap (7.30, NB), more than a year after he recorded his only success at Goodwood.
His victim Stellar Sunrise has gone on to better things but for Eve Johnson Houghton's gelding that remains his peak performance.
He has been thereabouts on numerous occasions, without threatening to take a hand, but he was unlucky in running at Kempton in September and finished even closer when a keeping on fourth over today's course and distance two days ago. He is poised to strike.
Worcester jumps action
Over jumps champion trainer Dan Skelton has set himself up for a successful day at Worcester.
He saddles four runners in division one of the FBC Manby Bowdler Maiden Hurdle (3.05) and five in the second division (3.35). He should land both with Northern Olympian, a three-time winner on the Flat in Germany, in leg one and Sheezer Dancer in the other.
