1.30 - Newbury - Shanty Town. 0.75 pts e/w. Available at 16/1.
Justification, Western Climate and Hello George could be difficult to keep out of the frame but a chance is taken that Shanty Town can get amongst them. He is a very lightly raced eight year old who was an encouraging third on his return from a mammoth 28 month absence at Wetherby last time out. He steps into handicap company for the first time today and his initial mark of 120 is by no means generous. He will need to improve quite a bit to get competitive but there must be a chance that he is quite capable of doing so. He caught the eye of the Stewards when tenderly handled at Kempton on his final start before his absence and give the impression that he has a fair amount of untapped potential. He showed his effectiveness on soft ground at Wetherby and this is just his second start for his current yard.
2.05 - Newbury - Goulanes. 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1.
A Chase for veterans and one in which there are a number who would like to lead. An above average pace could make this a dour test in the conditions and that may suit Harry Topper who is strong at the head of the market. Shotavodka waltzed away with this race last season and he is weighted for a repeat but a chance is taken on the lightly raced Goulanes. He has obviously had plenty of problems, he has only made the track nine time and he is now eleven years old, but he is a horse who has shown a fair amount of ability in his time. He returned from a near three year absence to run in the Welsh National in December and, although eventually pulling up, he did travel well to a point and that may have blown the cobwebs away. This should tell us much more about how much ability remains. He is weighted to run well, being three pounds lower than winning the Midlands National back in 2014, and this is just his second start for his current Trainer.
3.15 - Newbury - Dresden. 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1.
Dresden was beaten just over two lengths by Oldgrangewood on his penultimate start but the winner was value for more and an eight pound turnaround in the weights probably wouldn't be enough to turn the tables. However he is a horse who responds well to pressure from the saddle and the booking of Richard Johnson means he will get plenty of it. He followed up his Wetherby effort by going close at Warwick last time out and, although thoroughly exposed, he hasn't had many chances over this sort of trip. He is two pounds lower than for his last victory and he is versatile regarding ground conditions.
3.35 - Doncaster - Looking Well. 2 pts win. Available at 11/2.
4.10 - Doncaster - Thumb Stone Blues. 3 pts win. Available at 7/4.
Justification, Western Climate and Hello George could be difficult to keep out of the frame but a chance is taken that Shanty Town can get amongst them. He is a very lightly raced eight year old who was an encouraging third on his return from a mammoth 28 month absence at Wetherby last time out. He steps into handicap company for the first time today and his initial mark of 120 is by no means generous. He will need to improve quite a bit to get competitive but there must be a chance that he is quite capable of doing so. He caught the eye of the Stewards when tenderly handled at Kempton on his final start before his absence and give the impression that he has a fair amount of untapped potential. He showed his effectiveness on soft ground at Wetherby and this is just his second start for his current yard.
2.05 - Newbury - Goulanes. 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1.
A Chase for veterans and one in which there are a number who would like to lead. An above average pace could make this a dour test in the conditions and that may suit Harry Topper who is strong at the head of the market. Shotavodka waltzed away with this race last season and he is weighted for a repeat but a chance is taken on the lightly raced Goulanes. He has obviously had plenty of problems, he has only made the track nine time and he is now eleven years old, but he is a horse who has shown a fair amount of ability in his time. He returned from a near three year absence to run in the Welsh National in December and, although eventually pulling up, he did travel well to a point and that may have blown the cobwebs away. This should tell us much more about how much ability remains. He is weighted to run well, being three pounds lower than winning the Midlands National back in 2014, and this is just his second start for his current Trainer.
3.15 - Newbury - Dresden. 1 pt e/w. Available at 12/1.
Dresden was beaten just over two lengths by Oldgrangewood on his penultimate start but the winner was value for more and an eight pound turnaround in the weights probably wouldn't be enough to turn the tables. However he is a horse who responds well to pressure from the saddle and the booking of Richard Johnson means he will get plenty of it. He followed up his Wetherby effort by going close at Warwick last time out and, although thoroughly exposed, he hasn't had many chances over this sort of trip. He is two pounds lower than for his last victory and he is versatile regarding ground conditions.
3.35 - Doncaster - Looking Well. 2 pts win. Available at 11/2.
4.10 - Doncaster - Thumb Stone Blues. 3 pts win. Available at 7/4.
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