Preview Of HEREFORD 16:25 09/03/2008 By KeyHorse

A change of stable, different headgear and new tactics . . . amazing what you can do to persuade an old horse – well a ten-year-old – to finally get his head in front, writes Daniel Weston.

It all worked the oracle for Cleymor House at Fontwell last Wednesday when he gained his first win in the last 30 runs and landed some nice bets in the process. I have to admit that at first glance I was looking at the Duky gelding as a possible lay. But when I checked his six-length victory from 8lb out of the handicap, I began to have different ideas. He has a 7lb penalty for that win but this still leaves him to carry a pound less! When I also weighed up the opposition as somewhat weak, that clinched it.

Dropping back half a mile is a little worry but the re-application of blinkers - after being tried in cheekpieces - and the drier ground seem to have brought about sufficient improvement to overcome this. Stable money has been down on another recent occasion, so we cannot expect an over-generous price.

After failing to complete three times in a row, Orsus put in a clear round at Folkestone last time and would have been closer than nine lengths fifth had he not blundered four out. He is also on a handy mark but that was not his only error and he will need to brush up his jumping to prove the chief threat.

Selection: CLEYMOR HOUSE