3 minute read

The Fred Kersley trained On The Ropes proved quite unlucky in defeat last start and appears set to atone stepping up in trip at Ascot on Saturday.

Forced to sit three wide throughout the son of Fath copped a hefty check just as he appeared to let down in the straight and was left slightly flat-footed at a crucial stage in the race.

Picking up late to hold on for second his performance had plenty of merit and should be better suited stepping up to seven furlongs on Saturday.

A victor of two of his four career starts to date the lightly raced four-year-old has displayed plenty of ability and at his only prior attempt at 1400m he saluted by four lengths and recorded very good time figures.

On best form he rates clear and should receive a charmed run in transit from the rails draw with Steven Parnham jumping on board for the first time.

HIs two main dangers Low Tide and Profound Effect do appear open to further improvement however on recent form they sit six pounds shy of On The Ropes.

Currently installed a 2-1 chance in early markets seems a more than fair gamble as if able to return figures close to his best we have rated closer to a even money chance and we are more than happy to take the price on offer.

The Simon Miller trained So Symbolic is still looking for a way out after never getting clear at Belmont last start working to the line untouched the final 150m.

Beaten only 2.5L he is clearly worth another chance and on his form from two starts back he does rate very well in this affair.

The decision by Miller to engage Chris Parnham should also work well in his favour as he will only carry 53.5kg dropping 2.5kg from his latest defeat.

The fact that his first two performance for the Miller stable returned career peak figures over unsuitable journeys suggests we are likely to see him run to a new peak on Saturday when stepping out for his second attempt at the mile this time in.

If able to do so there doesn't appear to be a galloper capable of matching it with him at this stage and given they are betting each-way odds about him seems a more than worthy play.

While he could come out and demoralise his rivals on Saturday the idea of taking the short odds about Barakey off the back of an injury enforced lay-off does seem a bit hard to swallow.

Drawn the outside alley in the Group 3 WFA affair will test him as he may have to do a fair bit of work early to find the front which could leave him vulnerable at the end of the race.

While he has won over 1200m previously we feel he is questionable over that trip first up and with a host of handy gallopers set to line up in the event he does appear worth risking at this point in time.

BEST FROM THE WEST:

BANKER: Race 3 #4 On The Rope @ $3.00

PLAY OF THE DAY: Race 5 #11 So Symbolic @ $6.50

LAY OF THE DAY: Race 6 #1 Barakey @ $1.60