13:00 Never Dark @ 3/1
Andrew Balding’s runner is bred to be much better than a 74 rated handicapper. He’s a half brother to Dark Missile and the dam is a former Wokingham winner at Royal Ascot. He showed blistering early speed when third at Wolverhampton on his last start over a furlong further than this contest and can use that natural pace to good effect now he reverts to 5f.
He’s drawn one off the paint in stall two, so the order for the rider must be to ‘point and shoot’.
14:45 Highland Chief @ 9/1
Was the first son of Gleneagles to win last season on his racecourse debut at Newbury. He followed that up by chasing home the champion two-year-old Pinatubo in the 7f Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
He disappointed on his last racecourse start when sixth of seven behind Royal Dornoch at HQ, but weakness may have been an issue as he needed more time to grow into his frame.
He looks cracking each-way value for the new father and son training combination of Paul and Oliver Cole to kick-start his season.
15:20 Venture @ 10/1
He’s already proven that he is capable of winning off an absence when bolting up at this track on his return and first start for his new stable last November. The way he hit the line on that occasion suggests that this 7f trip will be no problem and also he has been gifted a very decent stall position in box two.
Given that he was originally a 230,000 guineas purchase, we can be fairly confidently he’s nowhere near his ceiling rating at present,
15:55 Billesdon Brook @ 7/2
The 2018 1,000 Guineas winner is an outstanding performer who boasts a perfect two from two on the all-weather surface. Her ability to go well fresh isn’t in question. Admittedly, she has to give weight to some unexposed rivals, but when the taps are turned on two furlongs from home and we enter the red zone, she has been there, done that and come out on top before.
I can’t understand how she’s not clear favourite at the early prices.
16:15 Yarmouth Rum Baba @ 9/2
Charlie Fellowes’ runner could be on an attractive mark of just 79 having won in gutsy fashion in quick conditions when last seen at Windsor. With the track expected to ride fairly fast on Wednesday, the selection could take advantage of being ridden on the front end.
Also, in these early stages of racing behind closed doors, horses can only travel to and from the races on that particular day. The likely favourite Maydanny will have to travel all the way down from Yorkshire whereas the selection makes a little bunny hop from Newmarket.
17:05 Mystiquestar @ 3/1
A low-mileage runner from Roger Charlton’s top outfit, I’d imagine the team is very well forward and fit as the 1,000 Guineas is this Sunday and stable-mate Quadrilateral is the red-hot fav in the market.
Mystiquestar was keen on both occasions over a couple of furlongs further when last seen and drops back to this 1m trip looks perfect. It’s a condensed handicap with just 2lb separating the top and bottom weights and the selection has much more likely improvement to come than the rest of the field.
18:00 Yarmouth Narak @ 7/4
This daughter of the superstar sire Dubawi, made a mockery of her opening mark of 67 under quick conditions down the hill on the turf at Lingfield, at the back-end of last season.
She has taken a fair rise in the weights, but her trainer has a cracking record with his runners off a 100 days or more absence. She’s not been missed in the market and that bodes well for her reappearance run in the finale.
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