Beat The Bell

Rated 87 on the all-weather following his win at Lingfield in March, Beat The Bell looked well handicapped switching to the turf off a mark of 73 in April and duly won two of his first three handicaps before being raised to 84. Based on his latest effort though, there could still be some leeway in that mark.

Well backed before this race at Musselburgh, a five-furlong handicap, into an SP of 10/1 from an opening show of 25/1, he missed the break, and was moved over to race towards the near side from a wide draw. Facing a tough task from his poor start with the action taking place predominantly down near the rails, the David Barron-trained gelding ran on really nicely through runners to finish fourth, with Graham Gibbons being easy enough on him when it was obvious that he couldn’t win. His cover may be blown after this market move and eye-catching run, but he is still worth watching next time. This was his first run for David Barron, his first since June, and his strength in the market suggests that he was fancied by connections to run a big race. The handicapper has left him on his mark of 84, and he did win off a mark of 86 two years ago. He could well be winning again soon. He is in the Ayr Gold Cup, but if he gets into the Silver Cup or the Bronze Cup, he will be of interest.

3rd September 2010