Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Jasmine Affanalis (90) – The selection looked to be coming with a run in the home straight when she was badly hampered by jockey Gary Carroll on Bucaneer’s Spirit who veered wildly into her path. Gary Carroll received a four day ban for careless riding and jockey Luke McAteer reported to the stewards that his filly had no run turning in. She came home in her own time in 11th place beaten 10.75 lengths.
2pts win Marengo Storm – (Non Runner)(Refused To Enter The Stalls)(Stake Refunded)
MAYFLOWER BILLY (8f Hcap) – With the ground advertised as Good to Soft (Good in places) and 3-6mm of rain forecast it might be worthwhile looking for a contestant that has some form on ground with a bit of cut in it. The selection showed his first worthwhile form last time out when a three-quarter length runner up to Tamonbarry Kid over the mile at Doncaster. The (102) timefigure reads well in the context of today’s (2.55) Newbury and the 11th place finisher has won by a wide margin at Catterick recently with the fourth placed finisher Haltonwood taking the bronze medal at Wetherby last week. The handicapper has put him up 4lb and a reproduction of his latest effort should see him in the shake-up in a race where there is little form with cut in the ground.
BRIAN (7f Hcap) – The chances of this four-year-old rest largely on how much rain they get at the track today. A known soft ground performer he hasn’t had conditions right this season. Last time out the ground would have been fast enough for him at Newmarket and he was an eyecatcher the time before at today’s venue over 6f behind Mirabeau when not getting the clearest of runs. He is 5lb below the handicap mark he ran off when runner-up behind Headmaster (who has won again since) over course and distance last October for today’s (3.30) Newbury. This will be his first race in 40 days so a lot will depend on how fit his trainer has him for today’s contest. He looks worth a sporting interest at a double figure price and should be going close, sooner rather than later, when he gets his preferred conditions.
0.5pt e/way Mayflower Billy (33/1 Paddy Power, Betfred, Betvictor) 2.55 Newbury
0.75pt e/way Brian (14/1 William Hill, Betfred, 12/1 Unibet 5 places) 3.30 Newbury