1.50 Newmarket

BIG COUNTRY (Best price 3-1) has been described as the best horse Mick Appleby has trained and he has the opportunity to vindicate that opinion in a competitive opener. A smooth winner of a warm Kempton handicap last time, the four-year-old clocked a spectacular time that day suggesting a step up in grade would be well within his grasp. The possibility of very fast ground seems to have been allayed by some selective watering and, if Big Country is allowed to take his chance, he is taken to complete a hat-trick for his new connections. Putting up two selections in a race of this nature probably isn’t ideal but BANDITRY (Best price 12-1) is begging to be backed after an excellent effort at Epsom last time. Today’s step up in trip will surely help and he looks too big a price to leave alone.

Big Country - 1pt @ 3/1

2.20 Newmarket

The decision to run SOMEHOW (Best price 5-2) just seven days after her Gowran victory should be taken as a positive sign and she may prove the answer to this intriguing renewal. Unfortunate on her reappearance at Naas, rider Seamie Heffernan felt last week’s outing would have brought her on again and she looks the type to thrive as the season wears on now that connections have identified trips around today’s distance are the optimum for a filly that relishes a good test on a sound surface. Somehow travelled sweetly last week and could be a tough nut to crack now her yard has hit top form.

Somehow - 1pt @ 5/2

2.55 Newmarket

With a course record of two wins from three starts, including a win in this race two seasons ago, EASTERN IMPACT (Best price 11-2) appeals in a cracking renewal. It looks pretty certain trainer Richard Fahey has had this race as an objective for the selection since he was a creditable third at Wolverhampton a couple of months ago and he should give a good account once more with his yard continuing to churn out the winners.

Eastern Impact - 0.5pts e/w @ 11/2

3.35 Newmarket

The ability of Aidan O’Brien to produce horses in peak form for big occasions was again illustrated at Newmarket yesterday and RHODODENDRON (Best price 6-4) will strive to follow in Churchill’s hoof prints with victory today. The selection’s stablemate produced a performance of ruthless efficiency to win the first Classic of the season 24 hours ago and Rhododendron could follow his lead if she can reproduce the polished display which enabled her to win the Fillies’ Mile with authority. The daughter of Galileo was too powerful for stablemate Hydrangea that day and, although her old adversary has produced a taking comeback win at Leopardstown, Rhododendron appears to hold a clear class edge. Winter, an honourable runner-up to Hydrangea on her first start for O’Brien, did plenty wrong at Leopardstown and could prove the biggest danger if she settles.   

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Rhododendron - 2pts @ 6/4