The Vaughn Sigley trained Black Heart Bart has proven a revelation this time in and appears well placed to notch up back to back victories at Ascot on Saturday.
Unseen since saluting narrowly on New Year's Day, the son of Blackfriars has continued to raise the bar this preparation, culminating with a new career peak last start.
Victorious between 1000m and 1400m, the four-year-old has proven quite versatile, though he does appear better suited at 1200m on Saturday.
In what is clearly the stand-out race of the afternoon, Black Heart Bart should enjoy a lovely run in transit from the middle draw.Currently installed the 5-2 favourite appears good value in the early markets as main dangers Dawn Approach and Watermans Bay, both appear vulnerable.
Dawn Approach was very good last start, though there has to be some query whether she can repeat that high rating performance so deep into a preparation.Watermans Bay is the class runner in the field, but will likely be conceding Black Heart Bart a start and is weighted up to his best form.
If priced aggressively we have Black Heart Bart marked shorter than 2-1 and he appears one of the better bets of the afternoon.The Simon Miller trained Shalo proved very game in defeat last start and while on the quick back up for the second time this preparation, he appears very hard to beat in the penultimate event.
Beaten narrowly over 1500m, the son of Danehill Express looks set to relish the step up to 1800m and has finally drawn a gate.Each start this campaign he has made impressive ratings spikes and if able to follow a similar progression on Saturday, he appears very hard to beat.
No question he possesses the best turn of foot in the race and if able to get his own way in front, he should give them all something to catch.BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 7 #2 Black Heart Bart @ $3.50
BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 8 #1 Shalo @ $4.00
