2:50 Newbury

River King 3/1 (1pt)

The Richard Hannon trained RIVER KING (best priced at 3/1) has run well on all six of his career starts and it is notable that he was sent off a well backed 8/13 favourite on his handicap debut off a mark of 84. The four-year-old was returning from 339 days off the track last time at Chepstow when only beaten a neck at the finish having had a gelding operation over the winter.

River King travelled into the race comfortably but either found the 1m2f trip slightly too far or was just in need of his reappearance as he was headed close to the finish. The drop in trip and 3lb rise shouldn’t be a concern and he should reward punters who keep the faith.

3:25 Newbury

Sea Cookie 3/1 (1pt)

Jellystone Park, Miss Nightcap and SEA COOKIE (best priced at 3/1) all finished 2nd on their previous starts but preference goes to the latter who has been gelded and had a wind operation since his last run. The Tom Clover trained was beaten less than a length on his debut over this course and distance before finishing runner-up again at Wolverhampton on his next start.

On both occasions Sea Cookie didn’t appear to have the strongest finishing effort so hopefully a wind operation will help and he should be able to get off the mark at the third attempt after 295 days off the track.

4:35 Newbury

Naval Tribute 5/4 (1pt)

The James Owen trained NAVAL TRIBUTE (best priced at 5/4) has shown good progress since the application of a visor and a switch to turf and he can get back to winning ways in this race. The five-year-old has won twice this season but put in a career best performance last time at Ascot when 2nd beaten only 1 ¼ lengths when trying this 2 mile trip for the first time.

Cieren Fallon rode him well to win at Beverley so the fact he is back on board Naval Tribute replacing Christian Howarth is a positive. The handicapper has nudged him up 1lb but he should be able to resume his progress.