Loyalty is a great attribute amongst men but it can be expensive with racehorses, and KYNREN has been a heart-breaking horse to follow in big handicaps.
David Barron's gelding has always travelled like a good horse in his races only to invariably come up just short, but a drop in distance to seven furlongs in Saturday's Tote Victoria Cup at Ascot could provide him with a much deserved big-race success.
Without a win since September 2017, Kynren ran well on most of his starts last season, notably when third in the John Smith's Cup (1m2f), second at York's Ebor meeting (7f 192yds), sixth in the Cambridgeshire (1m1f) and fifth to Sharja Bridge on Champions Day (1m soft) on this course in October.
On each occasion, Robert Winston's mount threatened to win only to flag in the closing stages but, after a fine reappearance second behind the well-handicapped Auxerre in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m), this could be the day.
Big fields seem to suit the selection well enough but they are also ideal for last year's winner Ripp Orf who got up in the dying strides 12 months ago and ran consistently well throughout the campaign including when beating the re-opposing Cape Byron here again in September.
Fifth in the Lincoln and then unplaced in the Spring Cup so far this term, David Elsworth's fast-finishing five-year-old needs to improve again off an elevated mark but loves this seven furlong course.
In a hugely competitive race, I will also throw in what the Aussies call a 'roughie' as the big-priced outsider KAESO also goes well at Ascot and a fast run seven furlongs with some cut in the ground could suit him well.
Third over a mile last September, and earlier a staying on fifth over just six furlongs here, Nigel Tinkler's charge should be spot on now after a recent second at Redcar and is worth a small each-way interest.
At Haydock, FIESOLE is taken to defy a sharp rise in the ratings in the Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle after his runaway victory at Plumpton last month.
Olly Murphy's Irish import has gone up 12lb for slamming the hitherto progressive Legal History by nine lengths on the Sussex course but is only 3lb higher than when making his first appearance over hurdles in this country at Ascot in December having, in an earlier life, been trained by Luca Cumani on the Flat.
The manner of Fiesole's win at Plumpton was hugely impressive and there could be much more to come.
Race regular John Constable is the other runner who catches the eye running off a 2lb lower mark than when winning impressively in 2017.
The eight-year-old has been out of form in recent months but has plummeted down the ratings from the 150s to 132 and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise if he bounced back.
Preview posted at 1645 BST on 10/05/2019
