After taking on board some valuable clues during the Craven Meeting at Newmarket this week, the Flat roadshow now moves on to Newbury and their important Greenham Stakes weekend.
It’s also Scottish Grand National Day at Ayr on Saturday and we have a pair of bets from the west of Scotland, but while we’re not taking on Chaldean in the big one, we begin in Berkshire on Friday:
Friday 21st April 2023
2.40 Newbury (Maiden Fillies’ Stakes) – SHINING JEWEL
This may be a maiden race, but it is chock full of quality. Several of these are engaged in the Oaks and one or more of them is bound to get to Epsom on Friday, June 2.
Hughie Morrison’s Mistral Star travelled powerfully when second on debut and she could be the surprise package in the race, while Value Added made a nice start to racing life on heavy ground.
The Gosdens run a few here with Frankie Dettori’s mount Shiva Shakti the best of them. The Siyouni filly has potential but she was beaten fair and square at Yarmouth, whereas Shining Jewel had her excuses a month earlier at Nottingham.
Sent off favourite, Charlie Appleby’s filly was slowly away and was hampered at a crucial time. Another Siyouni, she’d have found the ground quick enough on debut too and she will be a very different proposition here.
4.25 Newbury (Handicap) – TAFREEJ
This seven-furlong handicap is likely more competitive than the betting would have it look, though hopefully it’ll only be close in behind Tafreej who does look the best of these at the weights.
This is a Class 2 event and that’s probably where William Haggas sees his gelding, though he’s in here of only 84 so has plenty in hand.
Lord Uhtred is a live danger for Charlie Hills, while Caragio is also interesting at the top, but there could just be a little more zip about the Shadwell horse and he’s taken to score.
4.55 Newbury (Maiden Fillies’ Stakes) – FAKHAMA
This particular fillies’ maiden, run over seven furlongs, is for the newcomers only. While the betting will remain interesting and should be watched, it seems that the whispers are that the best three are Fakhama (William Haggas), Gentle Light (Sir Michael Stoute) and Mother Margaret (Roger & Harry Charlton).
The latter two trainers may be inclined to show more patience with such horses, while the Haggas filly is also a Kingman and his progeny often make lightning starts.
6.25 Bath (Lansdown Stakes – Listed Race) – GET AHEAD
The popular Lansdown Fillies’ Stakes is back, the five-furlong dash which has attracted yet another big field of 16.
Bath is notoriously difficult for punters, but not for the reasons many think. Though they’ll be on the turn almost all the way here, it’s gradual and doesn’t mean an outside draw is a big disadvantage as previous runnings of this race have shown.
What is more important is pace. Many get going too far out here. Though I could see White Lavender and Designer having big chances on bare form, they may be up there battling with the likes of Cuban Breeze early.
The solid value selection, who may also be coming from the back when the pace collapses, is Clive Cox’s Get Ahead and it’s she and Hollie Doyle who are given the vote.
Saturday 22nd April 2023
1.30 Newbury (John Porter Stakes – Group 3) – ISRAR
Officially known as the Finest Surprise Stakes, this is still registered as the John Porter and it’s doing what it’s always done; providing a springboard for middle-distance horses and stayers to go on Group 1 journeys.
First thing’s first; I’d love to see Hurricane Lane get back on track and whatever happens today we are sure to see him win over a mile and a half at Group 1 level again. Charlie Appleby is working back from the Arc with him and this is only his first step on a long journey.
It could suit staying types more, but Mojo Star is bound to be rusty too. Step forward Israr who again will get better from today but he’s already the improver in the field.
The Gosdens have given him entries in the Chester Cup and the Yorkshire Cup meaning that a) they think he has stamina and b) they think he’s classy. I do too and he’s worth taking a chance on at the price.
2.05 Newbury (Fred Darling Stakes – Group 3) – BRIDESTONES
It’s good to see a field of 14 entered here for a key 1000 Guineas trial. Being picky, you’d say this is more about quantity than quality as regards Guineas contenders goes but there are a couple who could come out of this well.
Magical Sunset and Olivia Maralda have experience, while Soul Sister did it on soft on debut and it’s hard to know what she’ll achieve going forward.
Remarquee made an impressive debut but overall, perhaps it wasn’t as impressive as that of Bridestones for the Gosden team and she could yet prove to be very good.
3.00 Ayr (Future Champion Novices’ Chase – Grade 2) – BALCO COASTAL
Though it’s all about the fast and furious Flat action now, it would remiss of us not to take a look at Ayr on Scottish Grand National Day.
In the Future Champion Novices’ Chase it seems that Balco Coastal has reached a similar, probably better level than main rivals Thunder Rock, Datsalrightgino and Unexpected Party.
The fact that he has done it in fewer chases and represents not only a top yard in Nicky Henderson’s but also a bang in form one, makes him hard to oppose.
3.35 Ayr (Scottish Grand National – Premier Handicap Chase) – MONBEG GENIUS
Having won three races in a row over the winter before finishing third at Cheltenham, chasing him Grand National winner Corach Rambler, the form of Monbeg Genius is rock-solid.
Kitty’s Light is popular and may do enough to stop our horse from going off favourite, meaning a nice price to get stuck into as well.
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