Sir Mark Prescott sends Alicante (pictured below) up to Redcar to contest the 3.40. This grey filly had the customary 3 runs over sprint distances last season but is related to a host of middle distance performers and is likely to show marked improvement now she runs over a longer trip.
Another that can do well on his handicap debut is Kattar in the 5.20.
John Gosden’s Charm School has not lived up to expectation thus far but is fitted with first time blinkers for the Yarmouth 6.00 tomorrow and may well bounce back to form. Another to watch out for in this race is Cloudy Start who comes from a stable bang in form.
The pair that make most appeal in the 6.30 are Ithbaat and Hyades. Slight preference is for Ithbaat who showed plenty of promise on his only run as a juvenile and has reportedly wintered well.
At Punchestown my two against the field in the 3.45 are Jessie’s Dream and Uimheraceathair.
Both Duc de Regniere and Pettifour began the 2008/9 season well but were unable to build on their early successes. They line up in the 5.30 where I prefer the claims of the home contenders, in particular Fiveforthree who is my selection. He has had a much lighter campaign than some of his rivals and ran well in defeat behind Solwhit at Aintree. Nicanor could run into a place at a decent price.
In the 6.40 I expect Forpadythepalsterer to get the better of the Paul Nicholls challenger Tatenen.
Picture by kind permission of British 2YO Racing.
ahorse 