Andy Holding is back with four tips for today's action, including a NAP at Newcastle.
14:30 Sandown
Plenty of useful and progressive mares on show in this Grade 2 event and even though the morning market suggests otherwise, SPRINGTIME PROMISE (best price 11/1) can cause a bit of a shock.
2-2 in mares’ novice hurdles since joining new connections from her Irish base, Fergal O’Brien’s inmate first sprung to prominence when she accounted for Dan Skelton’s highly regarded mare Coco Mademoiselle at Huntingdon a month ago and although it appeared at first glance, she made heavy weather of following up at Sedgefield last time out, the speed figure suggested it was an even better performance than it seemed on the day.
On the evidence of what we’ve seen of her so far, she appears a mare who gallops rather than quickens and under today’s testing conditions that trait will stand her in good stead when she faces the stiff climb to the line once turning for home.
16:00 Newcastle
CLASSIC MAESTRO (NAP) (best price 5/2) does face a significant opponent in the shape of Letthedustsettle but at the same time Jenny Candlish’s inmate has vital track form his main market rival doesn’t have so at the morning odds, it makes perfect sense to play him as a value alternative.
Runner-up to the gambled-on North Parade on his previous visit to today’s course (2m4f) back in December, the six-year-old filled out the same position over two furlongs further at Uttoxeter eight day later, once again just getting outpointed by a stronger stayer at the trip.
Back down to two miles on his return to the Midland venue last month, plenty of use was made of the son of Jet Away in his bid to finally get off the mark and after setting solid fractions throughout, he gained his due rewards in fending off a series of challengers in the final half a mile. Posting a useful speed figure for the grade, the form of the race 19 days ago has been well advertised since with the likes of Copper Cove and Heure De Gloire winning since and with presumably similar forcing tactics likely to be the order of the day here today, it will take a decent one to get his measure on the evidence of that recent display.
19:30 Chelmsford
BLACKJACK (best price 13/2) has returned from his mini winter break in fine form, and he looks set to go well again based on his overall performance and time figure from Southwell last time out.
Helping force a strong pace at the Midland venue, Alan Brown’s gelding was still pounding out the fractions going down to the final furlong and although he eventually succumbed to a rival who received a more patient ride, he kept on well to finish a valiant second.
Posting a career-high despite being defeated 10 days ago, he now returns to a C&D which has seen him just get nutted on his two previous visits and with another attacking ride very much in the offing from stall 3, the seven-year-old has bright prospects of ending a run of frustrating results.
