13:00 – GREENGAGE
Greengage went like the best horse at the weights on her latest start at Wolverhampton in November and was unlucky not to complete the hat-trick when narrowly edged out after conceding first run. She steps up in trip here but can gain compensation for her narrow loss last time if seeing out the extra distance.
13:30 – LITTLE JO
Little Jo made considerable strides in 2018, winning four of his six races, and, although he was without a win last year, his effort when finishing a close-up third here in November was arguably a career-best effort. He shaped better than the distance beaten suggests when eighth over this course and distance last month and remains one to be positive about, so he gets the vote. Brushmark is three from three, with all his victories achieved at this venue, and he is still on a fair mark so is considered a leading threat.
14:00 – WASNTEXPECTINGTHAT
Wasntexpectingthat took advantage of a much-reduced mark and a drop in grade to win readily over this course and distance in November, and he defied a 6 lb penalty next time to win a similar contest with any amount in hand. The way Richard Fahey’s charge won cosily after having to overcome trouble suggests a further 6 lb rise may not be enough to stop him completing the hat-trick here.
14:30 – GOOD EFFORT
Good Effort proved as good as ever when finishing runner-up in a handicap over this course and distance in November, finding only a well-handicapped rival too strong, and he confirmed his return to form when running out a decisive winner of a minor event over further in France last month. The drop back in trip won’t be a problem and another bold bid is expected.
15:00 – VIA SERENDIPITY
Via Serendipity produced a career-best effort to defy topweight on his return to the all-weather at Kempton in October and, though he wasn’t at his very best at listed level last time, he still holds obvious claims on these terms. Another Touch has made the perfect start to his belated all-weather career, making it two from two with victory at Lingfield last time, and he is an obvious threat on his hat-trick attempt.
15:30 – UNION
Union showed plenty of promise on his debut at Kempton in November, really getting the hang of things late on and finishing well without being knocked about. There is potentially above-average improvement forthcoming so, with that in mind, he gets the vote to land this contest ahead of last-time-out winner Tomorrow’s Dream.
16:00 – PAPA STOUR
Papa Stour went like the best horse at the weights on his first outing for Stuart Williams last month but was headed inside the final 50 yards after making his effort earlier than ideal. He can gain compensation for that narrow defeat here and confirm himself well handicapped in the process.
16:30 – INSURPLUS
Insurplus wasn’t seen to best effect at this track last time, having to weave his way through from two out, but he kept on well under a hands-and-heels ride to finish fifth, shaping well in the process. He arrives here just 1 lb above his last winning mark – which was achieved over this course and distance – and, with claimer Corey Madden taking a further 7 lb off his back, looks primed to take advantage of his slide down the weights.
Picks Summary
- 13:00 – GREENGAGE
- 13:30 – LITTLE JO
- 14:00 – WASNTEXPECTINGTHAT
- 14:30 – GOOD EFFORT
- 15:00 – VIA SERENDIPITY
- 15:30 – UNION
- 16:00 – PAPA STOUR
- 16:30 – INSURPLUS