1.50 Newmarket – Orazio (Win) / Glenfinnan (Each Way)
This looks like an absolute nightmare at first glance, but after going through the form, last year’s winner, Orazio, is the one who stands out. Compared to a lot of these, he arrives here off the back of a run where he finished a respectable third in the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster last month. That form has worked out well, as Adaay in Devon went on to score at Bath next time out, and Glorious Angel has run well in some competitive handicaps. The five-year-old gelding is now 11lb higher than when he won the race, but with the fitness edge, he could be hard to beat at a course and distance he’s proven at.
However, there is another horse that lines up that I think is interesting, which is Glefinnan. He only recently joined Michael Dods last week after previously being trained by Andrew Balding. Under Balding, he was campaigned over 7f to a 1m, but being by Harry Angel, you would think sprinting would be his game, and starting here over 6f is a fascinating move. Michael Dods has had horses run well at this meeting before and has previously won this race with Gale Force Maya. It would be a hard ask to win this on his seasonal debut, but I think he could have more to offer over sprint trips moving forward, and I am tempted to have a saver on him each way.
2.25 Newmarket – Whip Cracker (Each Way)
Many in this race will be using it as their seasonal starting point, and lots of connections will be hoping their horses can go on to bigger and better things. One that I think is worth keeping on side is Whip Cracker for Richard Hughes. The son of Cracksman has only had two runs in his career, but he has shown promise in both of his starts. His racecourse debut came here at Newmarket, and he appeared to be getting the hang of things late on to finish a close second before going on to bolt up at Chelmsford next time out. There is some substance to both of his form lines, and at a price, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see him outrun his odds.
3.00 Newmarket – Ottoman Fleet (Win)
I might be unimaginative here, but Ottoman Fleet appears to be the one they’ve all got to beat. He just loves the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, as he won his latest two visits to the track, including this race last year. The son of Sea The Stars has had a similar prep after a winter in Meydan, where he ran well, and this looks like it’s been the plan. Charlie Appleby always seems to do well at this meeting, and with his yard among the winners, I think Ottoman Fleet can defend his crown.
3.35 Newmarket – True Cyan (Each Way)
Dance Sequence is the favourite here, but I don’t think it’s impossible that some of these could improve past her on what she’s shown.
True Cyan showed a lot of promise to win a hot novice race on her debut over this course and distance last September. That form has worked out very well, as the second and third have come out and won since. It may be asking a lot for the daughter of No Nay Never to improve and take this prize on only the second start of her life, but horses of her profile have won this race in the past, and I thought there was a bit of star quality with the way she won last Autumn.
2.05 Cheltenham – Sea Invasion (Each Way)
I put Sea Invasion up for my horses to follow after he won at Plumpton over the Easter weekend for Chris Gordon. He absolutely hosed up that day, and he appeared to be suited by the step-up in trip. The six-year-old gelding is off a 7lb higher mark this time around, but through some of his earlier form this season, I think he is still very well handicapped, and he looks like the ground will be to his advantage here. Keep an eye on the Cheltenham race results today to see how he fares.
2.40 Cheltenham – Sail Away (Each Way)
I was keen on the chances of Sail Away if he’d run in the Topham, but he wasn’t declared. It’s clear that his trainer, Dan Skelton, is going to try and do everything he can to win the Trainers’ Championship, and the fact that he is due to run here is a sign of intent. The eight-year-old gelding is a very good horse on his day, and he beat a good field at Ayr this time last year at the Scottish Grand National meeting. It looks like his season has been geared around a valuable pot, and I think this could be the time connections will be looking to cash in.
Bet Of The Day: 3.00 Newmarket – Ottoman Fleet (Win)
