Newbury hosts a fantastic Thursday card over the obstacles, and it is here we go for another crack at some placepot picks! If you’re trying to get yourself back into the flat way of thinking, then Chelmsford City and Wolverhampton offer different alternatives, whilst Ffos Las also hosts a decent card over the sticks.
We have three places to aim at in all but one of the races at the time of writing, and there is competitive action all the way through the card. With the high-class turnout and popular nature of the big-name track – it would be no surprise to see the dividend swell to a tasty amount!
Leg One: Might Bite
The well-bred son of Scorpion, Might Bite, looks set to appreciate the return to a sounder surface and he looks the one to be involved with in the opener. Having only visited the racecourse once, he was well-backed when finishing a solid third on less than idea, heavy ground at today’s track.
However he looked a likelier improver and travelled well in the hands of Barry Geraghty, before having his finishing kick nullified by the surface. He is entitled to come on for the run and should be a shade fitter as he begins his hurdling career. The step-up in trip is likely to suit and he should be able to make the frame as he battles against his main competitor, Mr Dinosaur.
Leg Two: Katgary
Chosen Well is sure to prove popular after two very impressive victories from his two starts from rules, but he has to show his liking for a sounder surface, and for this reason it could be worth siding with Katgary. Paul Nicholls’ five-year-old has shown plenty of ability – including when second in the 2014 Fred Winter at the Festival – and although recent form figures are less than inspiring, he has been going well in big races.
He was a little outpaced in the Greatwood, before a rather flat effort on his chasing bow. Nicholls then dropped the classy sort back into the hurdling sphere where he ran an eye-catching race, making smooth headway before hanging right for pressure which countered any chances he may have held. He finished a respectable sixth and he is now dropped to a mark of 131, which suggests he should be able to mount a bold bid with Sam Twiston-Davies back on-board. The addition of first-tome cheekpieces is also an added bonus, and should sort out his hanging which has caused problems in the past.
Leg Three: Morning Reggie
It is worth keeping an eye out for horses that are well-in as a general rule, but they are often perfect for placepot scenarios. We have to choose from with Owen Na View and Morning Reggie both well-treated as the market suggests, but preference is for the latter as he looks eleven-pound well in and on a strong upward curve.
He creeps into the race under a penalty and his 39l win last time out suggests he is a horse worth keeping an eye on as he reappears over the next couple of months. He looks in good order, a likely improver and very well-treated. It is somewhat surprising he is not the current favourite, but nevertheless he gets the nod to make the frame in leg three.
Leg Four: Double Shuffle
The lightly-raced Double Shuffle can make his presence felt in leg four, as he bids to prove his 50/1 success at Doncaster last time out was no fluke. He kept on well in a hot Novices’ Hurdle, beating the respected It’s A Sting and Skylander among others, and the manner in which he picked up suggests there is still more to come from the five-year-old.
Tom George is a trainer in form, and he looks set to continue his purple patch as he teams up with Paddy Brennan yet again. The strong-travelling sort will enjoy the better ground and he should be able to mount a serious challenge, if maintaining his Doncaster form.
Leg Five: Westaway
We reach the only race on the card where there are less than eight runners, meaning we have to make the first two – but fortunately, we look to have a real live contender in the shape of the consistent Westaway. The eight-year-old has been keeping good company of late, and his most recent effort when second behind Castarnie was most encouraging.
He stayed-on gamely all the way to the line and he is stepped up to a longer trip, which looks likely to suit. He has already won at the course and he looks a safer alternative to the often inconsistent Red Admirable, who will be tough to get past if he is on one of his going days.
Leg Six: Queen Spud
Richard Johnson will be given the task of guiding out mount into the frame in the finale, as gets the leg-up on the likeable Queen Spud. The six-year-old sits nicely at the bottom of the weights ad she enters the race with a real chance judging by her impressive efforts behind Dark Spirit and Cloudy Spirit so far this season.
This looks a winnable race given the form of some of the more exposed rivals in the race, and it is always worth keeping an eye when Richard Johnson and Henry Daly team up. The mares’ two victories have both come in the spring and now she’s back on a sounder surface, she looks poised to go close off a generous mark.