Newmarket 13:50 Gear Up
Gear Up misbehaved on his racecourse debut at York by getting loose beforehand and because of that was a massive slider in the market. However, he made no mistake when coming back in front for an emphatic success.
Back at York last time he put up a very gutsy performance in the Acomb and it was all about determination as he was woefully outpaced at the 2 furlong marker, but he rallied to lead late on.
He’s going to stay well and won’t mind the slightly softer conditions.
Haydock 14:05 Key Victory
We haven’t seen Key Victory since putting up two very good back-to-back performances in Dubai early on in January. He won the first of those and was an unlucky fifth last time.
He bumps into a load of fully exposed runners who don’t look as if they are hiding anything from the handicapper.
Given he has a very good record fresh and comes from a top outfit, he may well prove the class act in this particular line up.
Newmarket 14:25 Alcohol Free
Despite her inexperience she managed to stride away for an authoritative victory on her debut at Newbury.
Alcohol Free proved that was no fluke when chasing home Happy Romance in Group 3 company at Salisbury.
It was when the pressure was cranked up a notch that she was just found wanting against her much more experienced rival and took a little bit of a wide passage towards the outer of the field.
However, she rallied strongly to be closing all the way to the line and the stiffer finish at Newmarket is bound to suit.
Haydock 14:40 Ainsdale
Ainsdale looked really good last season racking up the three timer all in nursery company and defying the handicapper with each and every climb up the ladder.
He was always going to be a better three-year-old as he is a quite big and robust type by the mud loving sire Mayson.
I have given him all the time in the world to strengthen and mature and he is the only three-year-old lining up in this Class 2 contest, but he may well prove better than this level in the long run.
Newmarket 15:00 Minzaal
Minzaal’s all about speed and that can be the deciding factor in this Group 1 contest as my feeling regarding a few of his opposition is that they will need further than this particular test.
He won in a canter at Salisbury and proved it was no fluke when bolting up on the bridle at York in emphatic style.
His yard are having their best ever season and this can rubberstamp their seat up at the highest table and I would imagine he will shoot to the top of the market for the 2021 Commonwealth Cup.
Curragh 15:15 Wuqood
It would be very easy to go towards the top of the market and stick with High Definition, but it wasn’t a particularly taking performance when he won last time, just grinding out the victory late on
Wuqood proved that he has a decent level of ability when winning on debut despite racing towards the outside of the field all on his own for the final 3 furlongs.
Despite that, under hands in heels driving, he was well on top late on. Given his beautiful pedigree and his connections he’s going to go off at far too big a price and can break the stranglehold of the O’Brien team in this race.
He is looking for his 10th consecutive victory!
Newmarket 15:35 Good Birthday (e/w)
Good Birthday looks to have been aimed at this throughout the season and he has conveniently dropped from a mark of 98 all the way down to a handy-looking 90.
He was third in this last season behind the future Group 1 winner Lord North and doesn’t appear to be facing a challenge of that magnitude this time around.
Added to that, the ground was definitely a little bit too lively for him in 2019 and, given the unsettled conditions we have at headquarters at the moment, the ground is going to be riding on the slow side which is perfect he is a massive each way price.
Jason Weaver’s tips for Saturday’s ITV Racing coverage
Newmarket 13:50: Gear Up
Haydock 14:05: Key Victory
Newmarket 14:25: Alcohol Free
Haydock 14:40: Ainsdale
Newmarket 15:00: Minzaal
Curragh 15:15: Wuqood
Newmarket 15:35: Good Birthday (e/w)
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