Wentworth Falls ready to sprint ahead in ratings

Charlie Applebys Wentworth Falls can further catch the eye of the handicapper today. Picture: Getty

A one-time Derby entry, Charlie Appleby’s charge remains a rapidly-improving prospect who seems to have found his forte switched back to sprint trips. The three-year-old certainly boasts an excellent pedigree as a full brother to the classy Strawberrydaiquiri but, while his sibling excelled over a mile, he failed to strike over seven furlongs when pitched in at that distance on his first couple of completed starts.

A step up to a mile may have appeared a logical move but he had no answer in the finish as he came home fifth and Appleby must have been scratching his head over what to do next.

The application of blinkers and a switch back to six furlongs provided the solution, though, as he ran away with a maiden at Kempton last November before following up back over the course and distance a month later. That four-length win saw him shoot up to a mark of 98 but there is still plenty of potential for him to go on again and hit a triple-digit rating.

The five-furlong trip is a slight question mark, but given the turn of foot Wentworth Falls possesses and the way he comes with a late dash, he should be able to shine.

Plaisir’s rating of 70 gives her every chance of making a winning start out of maiden company in the Bet On totequadpot Handicap.

The three-year-old fell just a little short in maidens but the move across to handicapping could prove the making of her as she is clearly not devoid of talent. She was most recently seen when beaten three-quarters of a length in second at Lingfield on New Year’s Eve, travelling well before getting slightly outpaced and staying on at the business end. Marco Botti has evidently realised the extent of her ability and the handicapper has given her a chance.

Nancy Astor has failed to strike in four starts to date but her time can come in today’s 32Red On The App Store Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton.

She was all at sea on turf on her debut at Newmarket last May but John Gosden gave her plenty of time to get over that and she has since twice been second on the all weather at Lingfield. Gosden must have thought she would open her account stepped up to a mile last month but, again, she fell short and the move to seven furlongs looks a good idea as the Shamardal filly is fond of taking a keen hold. She may not be a star performer but should be good enough for an average field.