Barntown looks worth a bet at 11/4 with Coral to cash-in on a drop in class and get back to winning ways in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Ffos Las on Friday (16:30).
The six-year-old made the frame just once in six starts when trained in Ireland but, after joining Tim Vaughan, opened his account at the third time of asking when backed off the boards and landing a gamble in a class 3 at Lingfield run on heavy ground.
After being held-up at the rear, Barntown made stealthy headway to challenge two from home. He was then produced at the last and found plenty to fend off the persistent challenge of Theo’s Charm by 2 1/2 lengths off a mark of 106.
He got put up 6lb for that taking success, but ran a cracker of his revised rating of 112 when a keeping on seven-length sixth of 13 to Repetitio in a competitive class 3 handicap at Cheltenham.
The runner-up Oakley has since run a blidner to finish seventh of 25 to Pic D’orhy in the valuable Grade 3 Betfair Hurdle at Newbury, whilst the third home Never Adapt sluiced-up next time out at Kempton.
Testing ground holds no fears for Barntown
Manvers House, who finished just under five lengths behind Barnton in eight, also ran well last time out when chasing home the hugely exciting and now 140-rated Chantry House in a decent 15-runner novice contest at Newbury.
That gives the form a very strong look in relation to this. Although Barntown failed to live up to market expectations last time out in another decent class 3 at Sandown, he has been dropped a pound as a result.
He is now able to race in this lower grade class 4 off 110 and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective in a weak affair lacking any real strength in depth.
Barntown also has proven form on bottomless ground and hails from a yard that does well with its runners at the Welsh venue.
So, taking everything into account, there is simply nothing not to like about the profile of Barntown. This looks like a great opening for him to notch a second career success.
Bet of the Day: 11/4 with Coral, Barntown in the 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Ffos Las.
