Curragh 15:45 – Jungle Jane
This year’s Rockingham is sponsored by Paddy Power and it looks a really competitive renewal with the likes of Alligator Alley, Strong Johnson and Urban Beat holding decent claims, but I believe JUNGLE JANE is the one to be on if this doesn’t too quickly after her romp at Tipperary last week.
She is very lightly raced for a four-year-old, only having six career starts and was a winner on debut as a two-year-old. She clearly had an issue as we didn’t see her again that season and was highly tried last year but showed something to work on when fifth beaten a length and a half on her last start of the season at Dundalk.
Her only run on turf prior to her reappearance run was in a Listed event last season, so she was very much unexposed on turf and so it proved when she won by three and a half lengths there last week. The handicapper has put her up 14lbs for that win, but she will only carry a 7lbs penalty here, so she is 7lbs well in.
Any rain will suit her, and I reckon she could take a bit of beating here.
Newmarket 14:10 – Drummond Warrior
DRUMMOND WARRIOR made a really nice start to his career when winning twice at Windsor over 6 furlongs and was only touched off on his handicap debut this time last year on the July course off a mark of 85.
He finished the season with two poor runs and had a wind operation over the winter, and shaped like the run was needed when seventh here on his reappearance on Guineas weekend.
The visor goes on for the first time here and if he can break on terms here, he may well get to the lead and he could be tough to peg back if it works out like that.
Newmarket 15:20 – Ascension
Only four runners go to post for this 6-furlong handicap, but it’s an interesting race and I believe ASCENSION can prove that a mark of 87 really underestimates his ability. After being beaten on his debut he won his next two in impressive fashion, including conceding a penalty to Art Power when beating him over 6 furlongs at Newcastle last season.
He was bit slowly away when beaten as a 3/1 favourite on his handicap debut at Newmarket on his final start last season and again broke really slowly on his reappearance at Sandown. He made a big sweeping move about two furlongs out at Sandown and looked likely to win at that point before the effort he made took his toll and he weakened a little in the final furlong.
He definitely displayed plenty of ability at Sandown and as long as he breaks reasonably, I reckon he will take the world of beating.
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Frank Hickey’s tips summary:
Curragh 15:45 – Jungle Jane
Newmarket 14:10 – Drummond Warrior
Newmarket 15:20 – Ascension
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