Arecibo to continue remarkable renaissance
WHEN ARECIBO won a nice pot at Ayr over this 5f trip two years ago this week he looked to have the world at his feet, and a race like the Coral Charge (1:50pm) would have been a reasonable future target.
Even if somebody had said then that he’d go on to run second in a King’s Stand you wouldn’t have laughed, but it hasn’t been plain sailing.
He went on a 20-run losing streak after the Ayr win and connections called time on him, eventually changing hands for 50k at the sales last October and switching from David O’Meara to Robert Cowell as a result.
Cowell is a master at turning these quirky sprinters inside out and a near 200-day break and change of scenery has clearly done the job.
He won nicely at Newmarket in April on debut for his new stable and then followed that with a luckless run behind Lazuli and another win at HQ in May.
Then his form really shot to a new level, finishing second in last month’s King’s Stand and picking up £75k in the process.
He’s a sprinter who’s back at the top of his game and looks the one to beat.
Jamie Spencer’s patient style seemed to suit the horse at Ascot where there was blistering early pace, and the trail-blazing Atalis Bay looks like guaranteeing a good gallop here.
Given the unsettled forecast for the Surrey track it’s also worth noting that Arecibo’s a winner on ground ranging from soft to good-to-firm.
Came From The Dark and Keep Busy look his main rivals and it could be worth involving those two in an exotic bet with the World Pool, available at tote.co.uk or via the app.
Putting the three horses mentioned in a Quinella, a prediction on the first two horses home in any order, could be the way to go, leaving out Lazuli and hoping for a bit of value.
POINTERS
Arecibo 1:50 Sandown
Arecibo, Came From The Dark and Keep Busy (Quinella) 1:50 Sandown