14:55 Gowran Park

With recent form figures of 900060 it is easy to see why RAVE N CONTAGION (best priced at 33-1) is a big price for this race but I feel he is working taking a chance on back at Gowran Park with up to five places available. The Michael Mulvany trained gelding was a smart two-year-old who finished 3rd over this course and distance in a maiden on only his second start before once again finishing 3rd on his final start as a juvenile when only two lengths behind the 101 rated Taipan.

Rave N Contagion was given an opening handicap mark of 82 for his reappearance as a three-year-old when he was sent off only 6/1 for a valuable handicap. He disappointed that day but finished 3rd in another maiden before struggling back in handicap company since. As a result, the three-year-old has now dropped down to a mark of 64 which makes him extremely well handicapped on old form. If the first time cheekpieces spark a revival then he should outrun his odds back at Gowran Park for the first time since his good third in a course and distance maiden.

Rave N Contagion - 0.5pts e/w @ 33/1

15:05 Yarmouth

The Mick Channon trained BONITA B (best priced at 6-1) has had a busy season for a two-year-old with fourteen starts but she has been running consistently well on all of those starts. With form figures of 3422332432 in nursery handicaps the daughter of Oasis Dream obviously hasn’t got a lot to hide from the handicapper but a chance is taken that first time cheekpieces brings about a couple of pounds of improvement that will be necessary for her to get off the mark.

Bonita B was only beaten ½ length here over 7f eight days ago and this drop back down to 6f in first time headgear looks a good move. Four places are widely available on this race with bookmakers and I will be surprised if this consistent filly finishes out of the frame. 

Bonita B - 0.5pts e/w @ 6/1

16:00 Newcastle

FENNAAN (best priced at 7-2) joined Phillip Makin from John Gosden in 2019 rated 91 and the gelding now looks incredibly well handicapped off a career low mark of 65. The son of Footstepsinthesand won over this course and distance in October 2019 off a mark of 83 before appearing to completely lose his way in 2020 and most of 2021 so far.

Fennaan has been well supported on his previous two races over this course and distance but has been given exaggerated hold up rides by both Callum Rodriguez and Rowan Scott on those occasions when only finishing 4th and 5th despite travelling well into the races. Connections now fit the six-year-old with first time cheekpieces and those will hopefully help him focus in the closing stages of the race with Rowan Scott retaining the ride.

Fennaan - 1pt @ 7/2