Despite a reputation as more of an all-weather specialist, that has not stopped Ben Curtis making a flying start to this season’s Flat Jockeys Championship. His 17 winners have taken him into a surprise early lead and, with a 30% strike rate, his form does not look like slowing any time soon. We have looked at his next four rides over the coming days, alongside 888sport‘s exclusive sign-up offer of Bet £10 and Claim £40 In Bet Bonuses.
Typical Man (Wednesday, 6.00pm Kempton) 33/1
Some key factors may prove hindrances to TYPICAL MAN’s chances at Kempton this evening, but he is capable of a high level of performance at his best.
Ian Williams’ charge did not feature in any of his three starts on the all-weather as a juvenile. However, he often showed his inexperience in his early days, pulling very hard. As a three-year-old, he was a more complete package, routing a field in a Doncaster handicap last May.
He suffered in the handicap as a result, but is 1lb lower than when a fine second at Newbury in June. Soft ground clearly benefited his chances, as that surface helped him produce his two best performances.
After a break and wind surgery, he is not unfeasibly treated if able to put it all together on this track. It may be a long shot hoping all the factors coincide, but it is possible.
A lot may also rest on the fitness of First View for Saeed Bin Suroor. He has not run since early 2020 when disappointing on numerous occasions in Dubai. However, before that, he won both of his two starts in Britain, each coming over course and distance.
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Ilhabela Fact (Wednesday, 8.30 Kempton) 13/2
There has been a minor gamble already in this contest on I Doubt That having his first run for Jimmy Fox. He is a horse who has shown virtually no spark on any run prior to this though and comes up against ILHABELA FACT, an experienced eight-year-old on whom Curtis will be confident.
He has raced over course and distance no fewer than 15 times in his career. Three of those have resulted in victories, while he has picked up another three wins at this track over slightly shorter distances as well.
The son of High Chaparral was a useful performer at his best, peaking at a rating of 82 after winning a 1m3f handicap at this course in February 2019. Despite a gradual slide in the ratings recently, a mini resurgence has been sparked on his last two appearances at Kempton.
He won a Class 6 handicap in March off a lowly rating of 50, but was then second to an unexposed and short-priced favourite next time out. He has occasionally needed a couple of runs to find his feet in the past and would be dangerous if continuing to show his true running.
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Galileo Glass (Thursday, 2.20pm Wolverhampton) SP
Another on whom Curtis will have to work his all-weather magic, as GALILEO GLASS has not shown up as well on such surfaces as he has on turf.
He is very capable of useful performances though. In seven handicap starts, his form reads 1214424, ensuring he has risen from an opening mark of 62 to his current rating of 78. His wins came over 6f and 1m, but that should mean his absolute sweet spot is at this trip of 7f.
His debut for the season came over course and distance, and though only fourth, so much went wrong. He jumped at the start under Jason Watson, had to race adrift in last after a wide draw and was then hampered twice up the straight. It is difficult to imagine a tougher passage for a horse over track and trip.
Though he is now 2lb higher, that owes to him going very close at Windsor last month and he can be excused a poor run at Ripon on soft ground having hung badly. He has been gelded since, should prove much fitter and has more to give on tapeta.
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Equion (5.00pm Wolverhampton) SP
EQUION has managed to defy expectations of a racehorse so far for Tony Carroll. HIs brief career to date suggests he has performed to a level beyond what was expected.
He did not meet a racecourse until October last year, right at the end of what would have been his three-year-old season. He was duly last of 14 at Leicester at 250/1. Having already been gelded, a successful career did not look in the offing.
However, though it was perfectly reasonable that he was available at 200/1 next time out over course and distance, he improved beyond recognition. He finished third, rewarding any ambitious each-way backers. The two who finished ahead of him dead-heated with each other recently, so the form is strong enough too.
He backed that up to be second in his final novice start, beating a Godolphin-owned horse of Saeed Bin Suroor’s that day and debuts in a handicap off a mark of 77 here. It may be no exaggeration to suggest that is two stone above what he initially seemed capable of, but he has shown a liking for this place and could easily develop into a winner at this level.
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