17:00 – Blenheim Lad
17:30 – Sherlock
18:00 – Novak
18:30 – Nazuki
19:00 – Dutch Kingdom (NAP)
19:30 – Eligible
20:00 – Whats In The Bag
20:30 – Something
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
The majority have questions to answer, and BLENHEIM LAD has less to prove than any as he goes for a C&D hat-trick.
Alex The Great hasn’t finished in front yet but should have a race in him at this trip and looks the main danger.
Stablemate Gentle Fire is also of interest off a lowly mark on her debut for the yard. Likewise, the lightly raced Shaad is now starting out for James Owen.
Whizz By was an emphatic C&D winner on his handicap debut and has plenty of scope for further progress.
But preference is for SHERLOCK, who encountered some traffic when third on his nursery debut a fortnight ago and drops from 0-75 grade today.
We’ve Got This shaped as though today’s extra furlong might suit when fourth over 6f a week ago and is next on the list.
A touch unlucky not to make it 2-2 for Archie Young when having habitual slow-starter Dynamic Talent behind over C&D last Thursday, NOVAK looks the most solid option. Monopolise must prove he’s as effective on Tapeta as Polytrack under the penalty.
The experienced Cressida Wildes sets the standard, wearing headgear for the first time on a new surface for a new yard.
But NAZUKI isn’t far behind on her C&D debut second, and she’s open to more significant improvement. Boubou is another to consider.
City House (second choice) remains of interest on AW, and gelding and wind operations since his last start could be the catalyst for him to fulfil his undoubted potential.
He’s high on the list, along with Mojomaker, who shaped so well at Chelmsford on his return, and Cajetan, who should be much happier on AW than the soft/heavy ground he’s faced on his last two starts.
Completely Random, Almarada Prince and Ziggy’s Condor also have persuasive pieces of form.
But DUTCH KINGDOM (nap) comes here on an upward curve, has no concerns over his current form and created a positive impression when dropped to 6f for the time at Chelmsford four weeks ago.
It’s hard to know just how good Qazaq is; having easily landed a couple of uncompetitive Polytrack novices, he has to be respected on his handicap debut.
There may be more to come from Lion Of War on the AW, while course winner Chalk Mountain is another for the shortlist after his good second here last time.
However, the vote goes to four-time course winner ELIGIBLE, who is 8lb lower than when winning over C&D in January.
He shaped as though the return to this trip would suit when a staying-on fourth over 7f here last time.
This is a deeper race than the one scrapped out by the unpenalised Thankuappreciate (second choice) and Juicy over C&D last Monday.
Similar comments apply to the consistent pair Sugar Hill Babe and Paddy’s Day, who pulled away from a subsequent winner here a month ago.
Spirit Of Applause has taken well to this surface and holds claims again, but WHATS IN THE BAG ran with a deal of promise from a lengthy absence three weeks ago and is a half-brother to two Tapeta winners.
Thrilling Dream can go well now that he has returned to 1m6f, but SOMETHING has been well ahead of his mark on his last two starts at Newcastle and can cope with another rise in the weights and grade on the switch to this course.
There’s still time for Great Bedwyn to prove his worth on the AW, and Heathen is worth looking out for back from a break, but Nibiru has more to do than for his recent claiming win.
17:00 – Blenheim Lad
17:30 – Sherlock
18:00 – Novak
18:30 – Nazuki
19:00 – Dutch Kingdom (NAP)
19:30 – Eligible
20:00 – Whats In The Bag
20:30 – Something
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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