Louis out to defy rise in handicap
The three-year-old gelding was originally given a mark of 80 but that was amended to 83 after Foxtrot Hotel, who he beat by a neck at Salisbury, won at Newbury last Saturday.
“I’m pleased with him and he appears to have come on well,” said the Wantage trainer.
“I was satisfied with his rating until they put it up over the weekend.
“He was on 80 then he suddenly went up to because Foxtrot Hotel won a maiden fairly easy at Newbury, so they thought they may have made a mistake and now we have to carry 3lb more.
“It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility, but I think Andrew Balding’s Desert Law is a decent horse.”
Andrew Balding believes Desert Law will benefit from the outing, his first since winning a Newmarket maiden in good style in October.
“He’s had one or two little niggles early season and while he’s fit enough to run a decent race, he’ll come on for the run,” said the Kingsclere trainer.
“He’s a nice horse and I’m sure he’ll have a good year.”
Lexi’s Hero was a convincing winner at Chester last time and his trainer Kevin Ryan is looking for another top display.
“Lexi’s Hero has done great since his last run and has come on quite a bit,” said the North Yorkshire handler.
“He routed a decent field at Chester so I suppose the handicapper was entitled to have his say.
“It looks a good opportunity for him and we’re hoping for a big run.”
Clive Cox is happy with the weight allotted to Apollo d’Negro and is looking forward to a good run from the bottom weight, with apprentice John Fahy reducing the burden thanks to his 3lb allowance.
“He gets in well at the weights and John, who has won on him twice, keeps the ride,” said Cox.
“He’s an improving horse who is very laid-back. I’m looking forward to seeing how he performs.
“This is a step up for him, but I’m hoping that he might be better off running in a better race on a lower weight rather than carrying top-weight.”
