Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Bullet Point (110) – The selection showed that his handicap mark was not too severe for him with a dominant display having raced alone on the far side. He raced prominently as he usually does before coming clear by three and a quarter lengths at the finish. This was the fastest race on the card, and the favourite Harper’s Ferry (103) was rightly avoided on this quicker ground. The second Tribal Chief (106) was noted making headway two furlongs out, but he only managed to claw back (0.24) seconds on the winner in the final three furlongs. Result 1st 9/2 adv…6/1 SP.
Today’s Advice
QUANDARY (7f 14y Hcap) – This five-year-old filly had been finding it difficult to get her head in front since her first career win nearly two years ago at Pontefract. Connections switched headgear to the visor, and she really took to it last time out at Lingfield. She made her challenge from the rear on the wide outside, and came home a length and a quarter clear of Callianasa having led inside the final furlong. The form looks solid with the third placed home Aramis Grey (who has finished runner-up in this race in 2023) looking well held. The handicapper has raised her five pounds for today’s (2.25) Newcastle which is offset by apprentice jockey Warren Fentiman who has already ridden nineteen winners since the turn of the year. There is the question whether she can do the same on today’s different track, but she has plenty of course form, and looks a viable alternative to the short priced favourite Cloud Cover. I am happy to let her win at the prices, even though she looks the class act of today’s contest, considering she is coming back to the track following a ninety one day absence and a wind operation. Brazilian Rose deserves a mention as she has been performing very well of late, but I very slightly preferred the selection.
SMART HERO (10f 42y Hcap) – The (4.07) Newcastle looks to be one of the races of the day with the front four in the market all bringing highly impressive form into today’s contest. Favourite Old Harrovian looked a different horse last time out to the one brushed aside by Glen Buck at Southwell back in January. He travelled like a dream the whole way round over course and distance on that occasion. Jockey Callum Hutchinson seemed not to be bothered when short of room two furlongs out (as he looked to be on a different planet to his opponents) before leading inside the final furlong coming three and a quarter lengths clear. Unfortunately, the price has gone overnight and I will have to let him win at the prices on offer. Original favourite Glen Buck also looks to have plenty more to offer judging by his win by the same margin over Victory Shout last time out at Southwell. The selection was equally as impressive as the favourite back in February over the extended nine furlongs at Wolverhampton. He also finished a similar distance ahead of Metallo as the favourite did, having travelled smoothly before leading inside the final furlong for an impressive victory. He does have to transfer that form over to today’s uphill finish, but he has performed well at Sandown in the past, and at the prices looks worth a sporting interest.
0.75pt e/way Quandary (11/2 Paddy Power/Betvictor/Unibet 4 places) 2.25 Newcastle
0.75pt e/way Smart Hero (15/2 William Hill, 7/1 General 4 places only) 4.07 Newcastle