Today's Selections

2:40 Newmarket - Kinlock Castle (8/1) - 1pt e/w & 3pt win - Due to the weight concession Kinloch only carries 8st 12lb and its interesting that connections have elected to employ Dettori who I believe has a very good strike rate for the owner in the UAE. The thing that really intrigued me about this one though was the ride it was given LTO by Norton over 1m 1f at Wolves. Norton was content to sit out the back for the majority of the race and only really made his move coming round the final bend. As a result he was at least 4 horses wide on the track for the majority of the race and there is no doubt that the added distance must have equated to nearly an additional furlong. Today we see the horse step up to 1m 2f for only the second time and despite the RP expressing their opinion that the added distance is a question mark, I believe he has been laid out for a race of this nature and if he can track the early pace likely to be set by Kuda then his turn of foot should be the decisive factor in the final furlong. (UP)

2:50 Salisbury  - Dream Tune (7/4) - 3pt win - An interesting little maiden but no real strength in depth and it looks to be a good opportunity for this exposed runner to get a win under his belt. He has been performing consistently all season and as result finds himself on an unrealistic mark. He takes a slight drop back in trip which should allow him to gallop all over his inexperienced rivals and although he is short enough in the betting, I still think he looks like good value. (1st)

3:15 Newmarket ZACYNTHUS (5/1) - 3pt win - This horse won on his debut for Cumani having moved from Godolphin and a switch to front running tactics paid dividends as he pretty much won under a hands and heels ride. Having assessed his opposition today its apparent that 90% of the field have won their races having been held up and therefore there is every chance that Zac will get an uncontested lead once again, and that can be deadly at Newmarket. Although he has done the majority of his running on left handed courses, he does have a CD win to his name and I would be amazed if there wasn't more to come for this one. (2nd following a massive drift)

3:45 Newmarket - Timoneer (11/4) - 3pt win - I can't help but feel that Luhair is a false favourite here, yes he was placed in a Group 3 contest LTO but lets not forget that he was an 80/1 shot and his form was average at best prior to that. Timoneer on the other hand won a hotbed maiden at HQ which usually throws up group winners and he has always been highly thought of. He doesn't hold any fancy entries so I would think connections would be looking to win a race like this before putting him away for the season and with only 4 runners going to post, this looks like a prime opportunity. (UP)

3:55 Salisbury - Tullius (5/2) - 3pt win - I know Trade Commissioner is all the rage in this but I really fancy Fortunes mount to get the job done. There looks to be an abundance of pace in the race with a couple of confirmed front runners and therefore it is important that a potential selection is tactically versatile. Tullius can race prominently and can also come from off the pace and therefore Fortune should have plenty of options. He is also a confirmed stayer who has won over 1m 1f and that should put him in good stead for the climb up the hill. He is clearly well in at the weights and his trainer has won this race twice in the past so its clearly a meeting which he targets and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a 1+2 for the yard. (1st)

5:05 Salisbury - Call Me April (28/1) - 1pt e-w A speculative selection in a weak race but I think this filly has a good chance of running into a place. The main reason for the selection is the booking of Kirsty Milczarek who has a stunning strike rate for the yard and heads to the meeting for just one ride. The horse flopped on its HC debut but the trip that day was clearly inadequate for a horse with a NH pedigree and the conditions today should be much more to her liking.