Timeform Daily: Monday 27th October, Leicester 2.30

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 26 October 2008 / Leave a Comment

The Timeform team bring you all you need to know about the Ladbrokes.com Sir Gordon Richards Conditions Stakes (Class 2)...

Leicester plays host to its final Flat fixture of 2008 on Monday with five going to post for this minor event named after the man widely regarded as the greatest jockey of all time.

Classic Punch: Seemingly back in better form at Newmarket last two starts, beaten length and a quarter by Buccellati in listed race and fading having made running in Jockey Club Cup behind Veracity. Never been most reliable of betting propositions but down in class and this potentially his best chance for while of ending losing run stretching back more than a year.

Spanish Hidalgo: Lightly raced this year and just respectable efforts at best when third in listed races, three lengths behind Limatus at Chantilly on latest. That said he's another who's down in class for first time in a while and could give a good account with all going coming alike.

Acropolis: Plies his trade in handicaps these days and placed first four starts this year. Long losing run not without reason though as he's far from straightforward and folded tamely in race that was run to suit at Musselburgh last time. Others make more appeal.
Mon Michel: Developed into useful hurdler since last seen on level for Kevin Prendergast, winning solid renewal of Gerry Feilden at Newbury last December. Form levelled off somewhat after but good record fresh and not without a chance on return from six-month absence. Trainer 3-3 with his runners at the course this season.

Young Mick: Reliable and most unlucky not to have won so far this year, runner-up three times in handicaps and shaping much better than bare result on number of occasions, most recently when left with far too much to do at Ascot. Found only New Guinea too good in this last year and looks the one to beat this time around.

One To Watch

Just one look at the pedigree of Leocorno tells you all there is to know about the potential of the horse, by Pivotal and a half-sister to the high-class duo of Golan and Tartan Bearer, but above that her performance at Doncaster on Friday was one full of promise. Sent off at 6/1, Leocorno made a winning debut, quickening away under hands and heels having been last of all two furlongs out. Her size offers even more encouragement for the future and she's destined for an Oaks trial next spring. The post-race quotes of 16/1 about her for the Classic may prove not to be as much of an over-reaction as you would think.