14th Dec 2016 | Horse Racing
Newcastle Tip: Al Khan
Didn’t see out a mile whilst tracking a strong pace 4-wide. Reverts to optimal trip and recently won a 7f claimer with a big speed rating.
Perhaps because of his age, Al Khan survived winning a claimer two starts back but there still plenty speed in his legs and a handicap isn’t beyond his grasp.
What particularly impressed me at Lingfield was he gave the long-time leader a 5.8 lengths head start with 2f to go but was still able to reel him in with a tremendous turn of pace.
Everything was accelerating at the finish but Al Khan was quickest of them all, clocking a rapid 22.24s closing sectional.
Accounting for pace he earned a speed rating of 88 which makes him competitive in class 3/4 handicaps.
That’s the level he attempted at Chelmsford a fortnight ago but it all went wrong. For a doubtful stayer (never won beyond 7f) a mile was always going to stretch him, therefore it didn’t help that he tracked an overly strong pace, whilst racing 4-wide. He was never going to see the race out and faded.
Back do to 7f he should be more competitive and he slips into a class 4 handicap, with top-weight. Since leaving Ann Stokell in May 2014 his record over 7f races in this grade reads 2611221.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 14:02 14th Dec, 2016 but subject to change
