At the time of penning these notes last night’s preview had “bagged” two winners in Clowance and Full Speed.
Sir Michael Stoute’s team are flying at the moment and he introduced the well bred Dancer in Demand in the Newbury 1.35 tomorrow. He is related to the likes of North Light, Gamut and Researched.
In the 2.10 Malt or Mash and Regal Flush (both pictured below, Malt or Mas is the grey)are the pair that most interest me. Malt or Mash went from strength to strength last term recording 4 wins including the November Handicap at Doncaster. He steps up to 13 furlongs tomorrow. He has gears and if this turns into a tactical affair he may well take a hand in the finish. He is best on fast ground. Regal Flush was another progressive horse last season winning heritage handicaps at Goodwood and Haydock before finishing 4th in the St Leger. The Godolphin horses have tended to need their first run so I am not going to go overboard with a tip for him but he should win if producing his best form.
The Lockinge at 2.45 is quite a puzzle. Cesare is likely to be a leading fancy. He has 9 career wins, 7 of them over this trip of a mile. Four of those wins have come at Ascot and he is yet to win at Group 1 level.
Peter Chapple-Hyam will have a big say in the outcome of this race as he has 3 runners. Al Qasi is the choice of Alan Munro. His chance is difficult to assess as he tackles a mile for the first time and he has never won over further than 6 furlongs. He should be all the better for his run when 2nd at Leicester 3 weeks ago, and if he stays and the ground is on the easy side he would have a chance. Tariq is pretty adaptable with regards to ground. He won the Lennox Stakes over 7 furlongs at Goodwood last season but is another that has to prove his stamina at this trip. Medicine Path ran up a hat trick of wins over this trip during the winter and spring but ran unaccountably poorly last time at Sandown. He seems to act on any ground.
Creachadoir represents Godolphin. He has never won beyond Group 3 level but was 2nd in both the French and Irish 2,000 guineas. Phoenix Tower has had injury problems but has won all 4 career starts, the last in a Group 3 race at Newmarket. The enigmatic Rob Roy runs for the in form Sir Michael Stoute yard but he could only finish 6th when he last ran in this race. I quite like Creachadoir in this but I am also going to put up Majestic Roi who ran well to beat Nannina and Echelon in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket last October. Mares have a good recent record in the Lockinge having won 3 of the last 4 runnings.
The 3.20 has been won by Mark Johnston and Sir Michael Stoute over the last 3 years and both have fancied runners this time. William Blake is unbeaten after 3 starts and has looked a typical Johnston 3 year old. A relentless galloper he may well try to make all. He won well at Beverley and may still be ahead of the handicapper despite a hike in the weights of 8 lbs. Colony won a competitive handicap at Sandown last month and has also gone up 8 lbs. Perhaps a less obvious contender but one worth having a look at is Whitcombe Minister.
There is a nice balance of progressive types and more established sprinters in the 3.55. Royal Rock has won 4 of his 8 career starts most recently at Yarmouth 19 days ago. He is steadily going up in the ratings but may yet have more to offer. Another recent winner is Jimmy Styles who won over course and distance last season and more recently won an Ascot handicap last week. Baby Strange (pictured below) had top class form as a 2 year old but then suffered a serious injury and didn’t race at 3. He has shown signs recently of a return to form and would certainly command respect here on his best form. Signor Peltro is a bit hard to predict but is capable on his day. He has a first time visor and comes from a stable in form.
The fillies’ handicap at 4.30 will take some sorting out. I can’t say I have studied the form in any detail but the James Fanshawe filly Falconry (pictured below) who won a Doncaster maiden last season before coming last in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes looks a likely sort for a race like this.
Amaakin is very much a talking horse but if he lives up to the hype he would be hard to beat in the 5.00.
It is mainly guesswork in the 5.35 but I will put forward Film Maker who created a good impression when 5th in a maiden at Newmarket last season.
At Newmarket I like the look of Oceana Gold (pictured below) in the 2.25. He has a good record at the track.
The Fifth Member has won on both good to firm and heavy and could be a fun horse to follow this year. He lines up in the 4.10
In the 4.45 I am interested in Exceptional Art who is by the first season sire Exceed and Excel.
Up at Thirsk Smarterthanuthink makes his handicap debut in the 3.10. He ran 3 times over sprint trips last season but now tackles a mile which should suit him.
Tom Tate has his horses in good form. He runs Inspector Clouseau in the 3.45. He won at Thirsk last season and also ran 2nd to Alexander Castle at Newcastle. He looks likely to pay his way in handicaps this season.
Recent Kempton winner Valery Borzov has a plum draw in the 4.20 and looks set to win again.
At Doncaster’s evening meeting Pegasus Prince goes for a hat trick in the 6.10 after a couple of wins on the all weather. He has a turf pedigree and looks to have an each way shout at 15/2. In the 7.45 Charles Parnell and Sir Nod are the two I like best.
Finally, in the 8.20 Throne of Power looks of interest. He didn’t get much luck in running last time but is a really good looking sort.
Good luck
Photos by kind permission of British 2YO Racing
ahorse 
Hi Martin,
Great minds again – I did Creachadoir and Majestic Roi (independently again) and laid Colony so another good day.
Thought Haradasun was a bit unlucky as he began his run with Tariq but ran out of racing room. Would not have won but might be rated as placed. Tariq will be hard to place – banker over 7f – and possibly a G1 horse but not too many opportunities at home in that sphere. Like to see him win a mile race but might have to be just below top level.
Off to Goodwood on Weds for the old Predominate and Lupe (since lost name and status). Like Dove Cottage in the 12f handicap – two from three at Goodwood and likely to make all. Could get away from them if they let him and can do that at Goodwood.
Good luck.
Mike Smith
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