KEMPTON continues to be a happy hunting-ground for the Marco Botti string with Tobond providing the trainer with his latest success at the Surrey track. The well-bought son of Tobougg, a 6000gns purchase, showed considerable improvement from his first run, taking a 7f maiden in comfortable fashion. Owned by Giuliano Manfredini, the 14-1 chance always travelled smoothly on the heels of the leaders before apprentice Andrea Atzeni asked him to take closer order down the home straight. He cruised to the front on the bridle by the two-pole and only needed to be pushed out in the closing stages to score by four lengths. It was Botti’s 11th winner of the year at Kempton where he has a 19 per cent strike-rate, while showing a healthy £52 profit to a £1 level stake. Botti said: “Tobond has definitely come on for his debut. I don’t think it was the strongest of maidens but he has won in good style. “When we got him, he was very colty, so we had him gelded and he is now more relaxed, concentrating more on his job. “He is quite a good looking horse - even though we got him cheaply - and he is quite scopey.” The victory was Botti’s second on the day as Neve Lieve had previously struck in a 2m handicap at Nottingham (see previous story).
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