Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Pessoa (101) – The selection was unlucky not to get a clear run in the home straight and ran on well to finish second to another well handicapped horse in Kitaro Kich (103). The race was truly run with Hollie Doyle getting the fractions perfect on Carey Street. Result 2nd 7/1, 13/2 adv…11/1 SP (Rule 4 10c).
0.5pt e/way Sir Benedict (95) – A race where the pace on paper never really materialised in the race. Two non-runners in Captain Bentley and Wakai Umi didn’t help in that aspect, and a lot of the contestants were keen early on including the selection. The winner Alafdhal (103) had the perfect sit tracking the leader, and with the race not run to suit the selection may be worth another chance in the right race.
Today’s Selections
Urban Road (10f 42y Hcap) – Two short priced favourites today that look worth taking on with selections that have solid course form to their name. Joolianoss won nicely at Southwell lately following a 134 day break, and is back out quickly enough eighteen days later. The selection has plenty of course and distance form to rely on notably two fine efforts behind Midnight Lion who had recorded a course and distance hat-trick before finishing fourth in a Class 2 race last Friday. He usually races from the rear and we will be hoping front runner Rock Armour ensures a true enough gallop for today’s (4.03) Newcastle. Rowan Scott who has ridden him the last two times retains the ride, and he is in decent form having done us a favour on Back Tomorrow recently at Wolverhampton.
Streak Lightning (7f 14y Hcap) – The favourite Brazilian Rose recorded a hat-trick of wins last Friday all coming over six furlongs at today’s venue. Where the improvement ends is difficult to know. What we do know is that she is having her third race in ten days, and is a very short priced favourite trying a new distance that I am happy to let win without my backing. The best alternative looks to be the selection who has bumped into three real improvers over course and distance this winter in Tomorrow Day, King’s School and Angel Of Antrim. Joanna Mason has ridden him the last three times, and retains the ride once again. As a hold up performer the more pace on up front the better for him, and we will be hoping for a decent pace from Tasever and Bobbie Joe Leg. Dangers include the unexposed Parthenopaeus, and the well-handicapped Quandary who is returning from a 179 day break having recorded some solid RPRs last all-weather season.
1pt e/way Urban Road (9/2 General) 4.03 Newcastle
1pt e/way Streak Lightning (6/1 William Hill, 11/2 Ladbrokes/Coral) 7.15 Newcastle