We’re treated to three cards on the all-weather, and one over the sticks this afternoon – and it is over the obstacles where we’re heading for this afternoon’s placepot picks.
Newton Abbot hosts a competitive card, with a few well-regarded animals turning up throughout the afternoon. We have decent field sizes to investigate and hopefully we can continue the good form and go close to landing a big prize this afternoon.
Leg One: Seven Nation Army
Tom George returned to the winner’s enclosure with Moonlight Maggie yesterday afternoon, and he looks to have a sterling chance of entering again at Newton Abbot, as he saddles up Seven Nation Army in the opener. The six-year-old has found one too good on his last three starts, but he brings solid form to proceedings and looks the one they all have to beat.
He looks the stand-out pick on form, and with plenty of improvement expected from the son of Rock of Gibraltar, it would be a big surprise should he not make the first three.
Leg Two: Otago Trail
We side with the favourite again in leg two, as Otago Trail gets the nod on the back of three solid efforts over hurdles so far. He landed his first two races with impressive wide-margin wins, and although he lost his unbeaten record last time out, he lost little in defeat behind some classy sorts.
He was rather laboured back in third, and after being a tad one-paced, the step-up in trip looks sure to suit. He is a strong traveller who will serve it up to his opponent from the front. He should make the best of the way home and it is hard to see him out of the frame.
Leg Three: Saroque
Venetia Williams’ charge, Saroque, looks set to return with a big run follow two rather disappointing efforts. He had previously started the season in good form, finishing second behind Le Reve and Loch Ba – but after suffering a heavy fall on his next start, it was interesting to see how he returned.
He didn’t seem to show too many signs of frailty, as he jumped well at Sandown, however he was slightly outpaced which was a little disappointing. He finished a modest fourth behind a useful sort and he was entitled to need the run after his mishap at Wincanton. He goes off a decent enough mark against rivals who are unlikely to improve a great deal and he could easily outrun his odds to make the frame.
Leg Four: Kapstadt
There are plenty of fairly exposed challengers lining up in leg four, so it could pay to side with the lightly-raced Kapstadt, who looks open to plenty of improvement. He ran fairly well without setting the world alight on the flat over in France, and it is similar tale over hurdles since he has arrived in England.
He has kept good company, and after disappointing on his last start where he never rally landed a blow, he looks down to a decent mark of 95, which means he can go close today. It looks his simplest task to date, and he could benefit from a more positive ride, with the eye-catching booking of Richard Johnson.
Leg Five: Brody Bleu
There has been some shrewd early money for Brody Bleu and it is easy to see why, as Robert Walford’’s charge has been running consistently well. He has ran well in decent company and his last few efforts can inspire confidence as he heads into this afternoons task. He hasn’t been out of the first three since reappearing this season, and his last run suggests the drop back in trip will be helpful.
He travelled strongly and looked set to mount a major challenge, however he faded over a stiff three-miles, which has ensured he is dropped back to two-miles and five-furlongs this afternoon. He is likely to made use of, from a prominent position and he should be able to go close under Felix de Giles.
Leg Six: Giveitachance
If you’re thinking of putting a placepot on for this afternoon’s action, it could be wise to Giveitachance as we look to round off a potentially successful day! The eight-year-old looks in tremendous form, and he is yet to finish out of the places in four starts this term, including when third on his last start in a very competitive 0-120 handicap.
A repeat of that Taunton effort should see him go extremely close this afternoon, and the fact he runs off the same mark is an added boost. He is a dependable gelding and hopefully he can reward us if we do Giveitachance!