The main interest in the 1.30 at Newmarket tomorrow will be the performance of Kite Wood. Godolphin are having a lean time of things at the highest level and Kite Wood is the latest expensive purchase that has failed to cut the mustard. Dropped in class to a group 3 contest here he should win and the majority of the newspaper pundits are tipping him. At 6/4 though I would be inclined to pull on the old watching briefs.
Moving on to the 2.00 there are grounds for supporting Arcano. He won on his debut at Newbury in a race where the runner up, the 5th and the 6th have all since won. Trainer Brian Meehan is not known for his first tiem out winners and there is every reason to hope that Arcano will come on plenty for his first run.
The 2.35 looks a very competitive handicap. Firebet comes into the race with very strong claims. He has won his last 2 starts and the form of his latest success at Ayr has worked our particularly well. Roman Republic was given too much to do when 6th at Sandown last week and was doing all his best work at the finish. He looked to be crying out for tomorrow’s longer trip and is one for any short list. The other one I considered is Union Island who has twice been a close second this season and deserves a change of fortune. My two against the field would be Firebet and Roman Republic.
Alwaary represents my list to follow in the 3.10. He does need to step up on his previous efforts to take a hand here however and I could not support him with confidence.
Cloudy Start comes into the 4.20 on a hat trick and I fancy him to go well. The trip and ground should both suit him. Spring of Fame didn’t stay last time at Ascot but his 3rd to Border Patrol at Sandown before that reads well enough and he looks the danger.
At Warwick Dig Deep looks well handicapped at the moment but then I seem to have been saying that for a while. He runs in the 2.55.
In the 5.15 De Soto has his first ever run on the flat at the age of 8. He was runner up in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham back in 2005 and he ran in a handicap chase at Worcester last month! Earlier on the Warwick card Secret Ploy is another runner better known for his exploits in the winter game. Three of his career wins came in bumpers and he once beat Barbers Shop in a novice hurdle.
Today’s pictures are courtesy of Katy Sodeau (see links)
Have a good day.
ahorse 