15:37 Newcastle

The race won by MET OFFICE (best price 15/2) at Wolverhampton nine days ago was noted for its very favourable time figure for the grade and with both he and PERCY WILLIS (best price 9/1) flying the flag for the form, the pair are worth playing against the field.

The former proved somewhat of a revelation on his first fibresand outing at the Midland venue, scoring at 50-1, but despite being totally ignored in the market, there didn’t appear to be any fluke about his performance. The way he travelled before showing a bright turn of foot to seal the deal inside the final two furlongs pointed towards a horse who relished how the race was run and providing he gets a similar pace to aim at today, there is a fair chance he can repeated the dose.

The latter has a bit to find with his old rival on the evidence of their most recent clash, but as Jedd O’Keeffe’s inmate has previous experience of racing over today’s C&D, that advantage might help bring them closer together.

Indeed, the way he was keeping on in the closing stages at Dunstall Park suggested he would be better served by a stiffer track and with an overall profile to say he is likely to run his race more than most, the five-year-old rates a reasonable each-way play at the morning odds.

Met Office - 1pt e/w @ 15/2
Percy Willis - 1pt e/w @ 9/1

19:30 Kempton

CAPITAL THEORY (best price 5/1) produced another decent effort over tonight’s C&D last time out despite the race not being entirely to suit and with an overall profile to suggest he should never be dismissed in any contest run at the Sunbury venue; Charlie Johnson’s inmate rates the percentage call at the morning odds.

Strongly fancied to go well in the final of the middle-distance series here nine days ago, the four-year-old found himself a reluctant leader in the early stages and in what turned out to be a dash for the line off the home turn, he unsurprisingly got done for pace down the straight.

Despite being engulfed by many at the cutaway, he did, however, run on willingly all the way to the line to snatch a slice of the pie late on but left with the overriding impression he could have done with going harder from the front to make it more of a test, it was an opportunity that got away.

Hopefully today’s gallop will prove more suitable and if he can get some early cover from his favourable inside draw, another positive outcome looks on the cards.

Capital Theory - 1pt e/w @ 5/1