Brighton, with its pronounced gradients and marked camber towards the inside of the track in the home straight, is one of the more idiosyncratic racecourses in the country and, as such, creates its fair share of course specialists. With this in mind, we’ve selected three horses who’ve already won at the Sussex course this season as the basis for our multiple bet this week.
In the Caroline Walsh Memorial Handicap (5.20), French Press won over course and distance on just his second start for Michael Appleby in August and has since gone on to complete a four-timer. His progress has dictated a step up to 0-75 company, but the return to 7 furlongs, or thereabouts, won’t hurt and he can defy a 4lb rise in the weights.
Pour La Victoire has won four times at Brighton, but comes into the Blind Veterans Handicap (5.50) on the back of an uncharacteristically poor effort at Goodwood last month, where he took too keen a hold. Dropped in class, off a 1lb lower mark, he appears to have a decent chance of making amends.
Megalala is well into the twilight of his career, but has won no fewer than eight times at Brighton, between 7 furlongs and 1 mile 4 furlongs, and may be able to make it nine in the Mark Harrington Running New York Marathon Handicap (3.40). He escapes a penalty for his recent success in an apprentices’ handicap and winning jockey Chris Meehan can claim his 7lb allowance this time.
Selections: Brighton 5.20 French Press, Brighton 5.50 Pour La Victoire, Brighton 3.40 Megalala win Patent (3 x win singles, 3 x win doubles, 1 x win treble)
