14:05 Newmarket

The Jonny Portman trained STRIKE (best priced at 5/1) has a good record in this race and comes into it having won three out of his four starts this season. The six-year-old won this by a nose off a mark of 67 in 2022 before finishing a close 6th beaten only 2 ½ lengths last year off a mark of 70. 

Strike has won three times this season by a neck twice and ½ length which means the handicapper has only been able to raise him 8lbs for those three victories up to a mark of 75. He races off a career high mark here but he looks sure to be involved in the finish.

15:00 Newbury

This looks a competitive 0-100 handicap but a chance is taken on last year’s winner SPANGLED MAC (best priced at 11/1) who should relish this step back up in trip to 7f. The George Boughey trained five-year-old won this by 1 ¼ lengths off a mark of 93 last season before winning on the AW in November off a mark of 96. 

Spangled Mac caught the eye last time when 7th beaten only 3 ½ lengths at Ascot over 5f and he should be much better suited by this step back up in trip to 7f. Bookmakers are offering up to five places on this race and he should be able to at least hit the frame. 

15:07 Doncaster

The Mark Rimell trained THAPA VC (best priced at 9/2) has shown improved form this season since the application of headgear and he should hold strong claims of reversing recent form with Great Max. The six-year-old won over this course and distance on his penultimate start off a mark of 71 in first time blinkers before finishing 2nd by a short head at Haydock earlier this month behind Great Max. 

Thapa VC gets a 1lb swing in the weights with Great Max in this race and with superior form at Doncaster, he gets the vote over his rival.