3.30 Redcar: Class 5 Handicap, 5f

Showboated caught the for different reasons in each of his three runs this year and off bottom weight could play a bigger part than the betting may wants give him this morning.

He meets Pinpoint again, the one horse he finished behind three weeks ago at Ayr. That was a career-best performance on every measure, including speed ratings.

Dropped He was always travelling on the outside, right up with the pace, without cover, quite keenly. The winner was following closely, but always nicely covered up. That made the difference on the day.

He dropped to the minimum trip and responded well to that, showing good early speed, for all that he can be a bit awkward out the gates, and and kept on once under pressure with a good attitude.

On his seasonal reappearance at Newcastle in March Showboated entered the notebook for the first time. Not quite the best of starts, he was keen subsequently, travelled well enough and showed a good attitude to finish his race.

He never landed a blow over 7f next time. But that trip was too far, he was overly keen, and also interfered halfway through the race.

A sprint over 5 furlongs with plenty of pace could be exactly what this gelding needs. Fast ground is a question, but the pace scenario should help him and he’s drawn right beside one of the likely front-runners too.

Obviously he moves up up in class, meets some higher rated rivals today. Although, this 0-62 looks a particularly poor contest for this class. Off 8-8 he looks a tasty price, who can, at the very least, outrun his price.

10pts win – Showboated @ 9.5/1