Piceno Can Bounce Back

Piceno is our most speculative selection this afternoon but at 16/1 (William Hill) he is worth the risk in the 3.05 Southwell.

He first caught the eye when third behind Llewellyn (races in the 12.45) two starts back at Southwell. He tried to track the furious gallop set by the winner but tired in the final furlong.

Nevertheless, it was a brave performance and he earned a pace adjusted speed rating of 60, which makes him competitive in this class 6 handicap.

Off the back of that performance, I tipped him on the 12 November but he was well beaten. Although it is impossible to prove, I have a hunch he was still feeling the effects of the Llewellyn race nine days previously.

Trainers often say ‘he’s had a hard race’ but this might be true in Piceno’s case. He put in a huge effort chasing Llewellyn and perhaps that left a mark, especially considering it was only his third race since April.

If Piceno is fully recovered, he could bounce back to his earlier level of form.