HAKU looks good to follow up a last-time-out course-and-distance score as he takes on seven rivals for the Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Apprentice Handicap (5.15) at Kempton Park today.
A step up to a mile and a half has seen the Mark Loughnane-trained three-year-old - Haku was in the care of John Butler for his first five visits to the track - take a step forward on his last two outings.
The son of Dragon Pulse marked his first try at the trip with a neck second to Hammy End at Southwell in the middle of last month.
And 12 days later Haku went one better – he secured a first career victory at the ninth attempt in the process – with a two-and-three-quarter-length margin over Longclaw at this afternoon’s venue.
The handicapper’s reaction was to put my selection up 5lb to a new British Horseracing Authority rating of 70.
But Haku, ridden by the trainer’s son Billy – the 7lb claimer has been in red-hot form despite the cold snap – still has more to offer at middle distances and is strongly fancied to go in again.
Later on the Kempton card, ARAMIS GREY has strong claims of registering a third win from his last four starts in the Unibet Handicap (7.45).
Friday's selections
SOUTHWELL
1.25 TAHONTA
2.00 ARBAAWI
2.35 POCKLEY
3.10 ZEALOT
3.45 BLAZEON FIVE
4.25 BOBBY JOE LEG
4.55 FINAL FRONTIER
5.25 DIVINE CONNECTION
KEMPTON PARK
5.15 HAKU (NAP)
5.45 HADRIANUS
6.15 SPEZIATO
6.45 SAPPHIRE SEAS
7.15 TOP SECRET
7.45 ARAMIS GREY (NB)
8.15 ROOFUL
DOUBLE: HAKU and ARAMIS GREY
