1st Dec 2012 | Horse Racing
Newbury Tips: Takeroc
Formerly smart chaser dropped to a handicap mark from which he’s been successful before.
Third in the Grade 1 Tingle Creek way back in 2008, Takeroc was once a smart two-mile chaser. He’s obviously not up to that level any more but aged only 9 there are still races to be won with him.
In the 3.40 Newbury he races off a career low handicap mark of 135, a mark he’s won off twice in his career. His most recent victory came in a class 2 handicap last October, the same level as today.
The one note of caution is his form for trainer Chris Gordon. He’s not finished better than 10th in two starts since leaving Paul Nicholls in the summer. I’m willing to forgive those runs however. On his seasonal debut at Aintree he was pulled up, possibly injured after clattering a fence. His last performance at Cheltenham was adequate, but he’s never run particularly well at the track, unplaced in four visits.
In the last 12-months he’s shown enough ability to be competitive in handicaps. Off a generous looking handicap mark he looks overpriced at 40/1 (Sportingbet).
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:25 1st Dec, 2012 but subject to change
