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King's Lynn looks overdue a return to winner's enclosure

Written by Press Association | Jun 2, 2024 6:31:34 AM

King's Lynn has shown plenty of his old dash in his two most recent runs and can snap his lengthy winless run in the Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap at Hamilton on Sunday.

The seven-year-old has not got his head in front since scoring at Group Two level in the 2022 Temple Stakes, falling short at the highest level for the rest of that season and struggling off an inflated mark for all of 2023.

King's Lynn started that campaign on a mark of 109 but by the time this term started, he was down to 97 and has subsequently been eased a further 3lb, which puts him on a very attractive mark.

That impression was confirmed by a narrow defeat at Goodwood and a fair third on the all-weather on his two latest starts, with that latter run coming at 1200m which is possibly at the edge of his ability.

Andrew Balding has found a nice 1000m option here and while he shares top-weight, King's Lynn is certainly in excellent heart.

Star Jasmine can strike for George Boughey in the Sky Bet Request A Bet Fillies' Handicap.

Placed second on each of her first two runs, Star Jasmine came good over 1600m in deep ground at Bath in April, putting her race fitness to good use in what was a testing heat.

Given a decent break to recover from those exertions, Star Jasmine can go well off a debut mark of 82, with an extra 200m providing little concern.

Align The Stars has faced a couple of tough tasks, so the Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap looking an easier prospect on the face of it.

Beaten 10-lengths by subsequent Listed second Kalpana on his seasonal bow, Charlie Johnston's runner then bumped into a potentially nice horse in the Aidan O'Brien-trained London City, who proved a length too good at York.

Catalyse was a £300,000 breeze-up buy and he makes his first racecourse start for Richard Fahey in the Cure Leukaemia EBF Novice Stakes. Sharply bred, his sales prep should stand him in good stead.

First Officer can stay on an upward curve in the Sky Bet Acca Freeze Handicap at Nottingham.

He has won one of his two starts so far this year, triumphing at Windsor in April before coming home a close-up fourth off a 4lb higher mark - which remains unchanged - last time.

King Otis is the choice in the Jarrold Handicap Hurdle at Fakenham after a course-and-distance win in May. - Press Association

SELECTIONS:

FAKENHAM: 15.00 Cannon Rock, 15.35 Silver Atom, 16.10 Augharue, 16.45 King Otis, 17.15 Time To Bite, 17.45 State Of Bliss.

HAMILTON: 16.40 Catalyse, 17.10 Align The Stars, 17.40 Maasai Mara, 18.10 KING'S LYNN (NAP), 18.40 Star Jasmine, 19.10 Mr Irrelevant, 19.40 Where's Jeff.

KILBEGGAN: 14.45 Mr Dibbs, 15.20 Paggane, 15.55 Everystep Oftheway, 16.30 Across The Ocean, 17.00 Sea Music, 17.30 Whatsafellatodo, 18.00 Serious Chat.

LISTOWEL: 14.32 Elzem, 15.07 Irish Acclamation, 15.42 Mercurial, 16.17 Sara Valentina, 16.50 Venetian, 17.20 Kodiac Prince, 17.50 Corky, 18.20 Sixandahalf.

NOTTINGHAM: 14.40 Mission Command, 15.15 Gold Minx, 15.50 Quick Away, 16.25 Showalong, 16.55 Surrey Belle, 17.25 First Officer, 17.55 Coolree, 18.30 King Of Fury.