Back-to-lay Mercian Prince and Ballyarthur
3.15 Kempton
Mercian Prince has traded below at least half his BSP in-running in all five British starts to date since switching from Etienne Leenders yard near Angers in France.
He usually ends leading late in his races but doesn’t find much under pressure. This will be the quickest ground he will have encountered but his best performance in Britain has come on good to soft so today’s ground shouldn’t be a problem and could even suit better as he does seem to struggle to see his races out. The return to a flat speed track should also suit him better; he currently trades around 6.20 for a back-to-lay.
4.10 Uttoxeter
Ballyarthur steps back down in distance to 2m4f after finding 2m7f too much last time out at Haydock, though he was a 3 mile winner in a point-to-point. He has traded below at least half his BSP in-running in all six races under rules and looks to have a great chance of doing so again.
He likes to race prominently in his races but he will be happy sitting behind the pace, as the pace looks to come from Johnny Og and Perfect Pirate in today’s race. A drop down to class 4 company again should see him very competitive after finding grade 2 company far too hot, but he still managed to trade down to 3.0 in-running from a BSP of 11.0. He looks a decent back-to-lay in this easier race; he currently trades around 4.60 for a back-to-lay.
