Strong in the market when winning with plenty to spare at Sedgefield, the ex-Irish SCORSESE is taken to defy a 10lb rise. There is no shortage of possible dangers with Tramuntana, Lightning Flash, Zainy Champ and the well-in Caramelo Rapido all of interest, while Burning It Up (second choice) rates a likely improver now upped in trip for his first handicap.[Alistair Jones]
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Only had three races and his first run away from heavy ground when chasing home the odds-on favourite in an Exeter maiden (2m, good); open to improvement now handicapping over a trip he's bred to stay.
Only made his handicap debut last week at Carlisle (2m1f, good) and would have got up in another few strides; should have no problem with this longer trip and he's 4lb higher in future.
Having third run for this yard; beaten 13l into second in a Fakenham handicap last time (2m4f, good to soft) but the winner made light work of a Mullins raider at Plumpton last week; down 2lb and one to consider.
Went up a collective 15lb for winning back-to-back handicaps at about 2m3f and that was surely a factor behind his well-held third at Newcastle (2m4f, good to soft), though he did make some mistakes; others might be better treated.
Showed ability in Ireland; no closer than 16l in first six runs for this yard but perhaps didn't stay 2m7f when initially tried in blinkers and then justified market confidence with ease over 2m4f at Sedgefield (good); could still be ahead of the game despite a 10lb rise.
Won a bumper and was going beyond 2m for the first time when making a successful handicap debut at Huntingdon (2m3f, good to soft); effectively 11lb higher as they claimed 6lb last time, but in the right hands to keep progressing.
Improved third in a Kelso novice last time (2m, soft; beaten about 12l) and everything points to him benefiting from this longer trip on handicap debut; interesting.
All the better for cheekpieces joining a tongue-tie in rattling off a hat-trick in 2m4f handicaps at Newcastle; his mark has taken the predictable hit and he was pulled up at Bangor last night.
Won a fast-ground handicap here last summer off 2lb lower; has struggled to recapture that form and had no excuses from the front when behind Luminaries last time; cheekpieces are given a go.
