Yesterday’s Review
Roman Palace (97) – A disappointing effort from the filly at the business end of the race. It remains to be seen if she can return to her previous best.
Today’s Advice
Magic Fluke (6f Nursery) – A career best (103) speed figure (which tops today’s opposition) lto was recorded by this 2yo when beating subsequent winner Professor Tickle by a short head last month. The handicapper has raised him 4lbs, however, a reproduction of that performance would see him very competitive for today’s (3.44) Newcastle. The track was riding 21 lengths per mile slow at the most recent meeting (which was more than twice as slow as when he won lto) following a ripping-up process of the surface. Hopefully it rides a bit more closer to standard today. The draw in stall 1 tempers enthusiasm, and with winds up to 40mph forecast, I will be hoping jockey Marco Ghiani finds cover during the race.
Henery Hawk (5f Hcap) – A drop back in trip to the C&D where this gelding recorded a career best (108) speed figure for today’s (4.45) Newcastle may see him return to the winner’s enclosure, following two close defeats over 6 furlongs at Wolverhampton and Southwell. A habitual slow starter, the 4yo made good headway at halfway before leading over a furlong out when finishing 1/2 length ahead of Elzaal that day. We will be hoping for a decent pace from Rockley Point, Birdie Bowers and Dapper Man.
Lilla Cross (2m 120y Hcap) – A career best (101) speed figure was recorded by this filly at Lingfield over the extended 15 furlongs lto, which was a long way ahead of her recent efforts. On that occasion she may have found the track a bit sharp for her having become outpaced before racing wide into the home straight and finishing a decent third behind Fair Dinkum. The main question will be whether she can reproduce something similar for tonight’s (8.00) Wolverhampton on a different surface. In a weak race, I am willing to have a small interest at the prices on offer.
0.5pt e/way Magic Fluke (9/1 William Hill, 8/1 General 4 places) 3.44 Newcastle
0.75pt e/way Henery Hawk (7/1 General 4 places) 4.45 Newcastle
0.5pt e/way Lilla Cross (9/1 General) 8.00 Wolverhampton