Zertakt

The Jukebox Kid is obviously unexposed, he won his only point-to-point, he was impressive in winning on his chasing bow at Carlisle in early November, and he shaped as if he would improve for stepping up in trip. But he is 9lb higher now than he was then, and he is short, and the second, third, fourth and fifth from the Carlisle race were all beaten at short prices next time, and he may not be invincible.

 

I think that Zertakt is over-priced against him. Venetia Williams’ horse hasn’t won yet over fences, but he has gone close, he has raced just six times, and he is wholly unexposed over staying trips.  He still has the potential for more and he could be a well-handicapped horse.

 

He progressed through last season, and he put up the best performance of his career up to that point on his final run last season, when he finished second behind Rivers Corner in a novices’ handicap chase at Newbury in March off a mark of 114.

 

He stepped forward from that on his debut this season, when he finished second to Dom Of Mary in a three-mile-six-furlong handicap chase at Newcastle. He travelled like the most likely winner from a long way out that day, he moved to the front at the third last and he went clear between the final two fences. He traded at 1.01 in-running.  But he got in tight to the last and lost momentum, and Dom Of Mary caught him on the run-in.

 

The drop back down in trip today should help, but he probably doesn't need to drop down.  He stays well. He was just unlucky to get in tight to the last at Newcastle when he had the race in the bag. A 2lb hike for that run is fine and he could take another step forward today over a trip that should be ideal. Venetia Williams’ horses are in better form now too than they were a couple of weeks ago, and Charlie Deutsch is back on board.