A three-day meeting at La Teste kicks off this morning and I’m really keen on one of Didier Guillemin’s in the two-year-old claimer (1.25pm).

Al Velocy could only finish tenth on debut here over 6f last month, but he ran much better than the result suggests, as he could never get a run up the rail in the home straight and his jockey Clement Merille was easy on him when his chance had gone.

That came in maiden company, and he now drops immediately in grade.   His trainer (who is based just over an hour away in Mont-de-Marsan) has an excellent record here and is 8-23 in claimers here in the past six years.

It is a huge positive that Guillemin has won the corresponding race at this meeting in each of the last three seasons, with Clement Merille on board each time.  Merille has been back amongst the winners of late after a very quiet year so far, and his claim means Al Velocy will be carrying just 53.5kg.  Guillemin’s record in this race strongly suggests Al Velocy is fancied to go very close.

We have a decent draw in stall 4 and the step up to 7f looks sure to suit. At 8-1, Al Velocy looks cracking value to get our day off to a winning start.

1.25pm La Teste – 2pts win, 1pt place Al Velocy @ 8-1 (all firms, 17/2 with Skybet)

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