Today's Selections

1:30 Newbury - Market Town (7/4) - 3pt win - This promising juvenile is very strongly fancied to make a winning appearance on his second start. It's difficult to be too confident in a race like this with so many unknown quantities going to post but in situations like this you have to back your horses ability and that's exactly what the Hill's camp are doing today. (3rd)


2:05 Newbury - Coquet (6/1) - 1pt e/w - If the market is anything to go by Cameron Highland should win this race comfortably but I believe that my selection could prove to be the value bet in the race. If you ignore Coquet's last run then he has the profile of an ultra progressive horse and its easy to forgive her performance at York as her preparation had been fine from ideal and the trainer openly admitted that the run was always likely to be a pipe opener. Today that definitely will not be the case and it's interesting that connections have chosen to employ Hanagan to take the ride. All things considered, I would be very disappointed if this one didn't go close today. (3rd)

2:10 Newmarket - Victrim Ludorum (11/1) - 1pt e/w - Not a race I would usually be looking to get involved with but I've received a spot of info for this horse and she is expected to step up significantly on her last run. The general feeling is that he last run can be discounted as she didn't have a clear passage and was given a sympathetic introduction. Today the horse is expected to show why she cost £75,000 and the conditions are thought to be ideal. (1st)


2:35 Newbury - Moohajim (3/1) - 3pt win - I'm very surprised to see this horse trading at prices in excess of 3/1 as he appears to have endless amounts of potential. Any horse which wins a Class 2 race at Ascot on debut has to be taken very seriously in a race like this and his performance last time out in the Prix Morny represented a further step forward. Obviously there are some very good horses in the race and I know the Hill's yard are hopeful that Funk Soul Brother will at least place but I just can't look beyond this impeccably bred Cape Cross colt and he was very nearly a max bet. (1st)


2:45 Newmarket - Ashaadd (13/2) - 3pt win - Simple selection given that Varian is reaching for his magic hood after the horse put in a disappointing performance in Group 3 company LTO. In his penultimate race the horse ran an absolute blinder in Class 3 company and only went down by a few lengths to the ultra impressive Pearl Acclaim. They is no doubt that he has the form in the book to win this race and if the hood has the desired affect then this one could be the steal of the day at 13/2. (UP)


3:45 Newbury - Kingsgate Native (8/1) -1pt e/w - I'm probably betting with my heart rather than my head here but I love this horse and I really hope he can get back to winning ways today. His last run should have brought him on and it's no secret that he has been working very well at home. With conditions in his favour and connections quietly confident I'm hoping he will at least place, The Hill's runner is also thought to have an outside chance due to the weight concessions and although it was a close call between the two, I just think that on his day, Kingsgate is a cut above todays opposition.(2nd)

4:20 Newbury - Race and Status (12/1) - 1pt e/w - Now I may live to regret this because I'm opposing the Hill's horse Shaishee who has been putting in some very pleasing work on the gallops and is expected to be very competitive today stepping up in trip. That may lead some of you to ask, well why are you backing something else? The reason, I have been waiting for this horse to run since I first got a report when he was purchased at Tattersal in October. The horse has a stunning pedigree and I know he has been working nicely at home. The yard won this race with a newcomer in 2010 and I'm hoping they can repeat that feat today. (1st)


4:50 Newbury - African Oil (7/1)  -No Bet - I have decided not to back this horse today as there is just too much competition in the race. The horse came out of his last race well and has been working really well at home but with so many unexposed horses going to post and with plenty of them being supported, it's impossible to be in this race with any confidence. Neither I or connections would be at all surprised if the horse won though and he is definitely capable of being very competitive off his current mark.


4:05 Ayr- Pearl Castle (7/2) - 3pt win - A difficult little race to assess and the job is made even harder by the current conditions at the track but Pearl Castle looks like the type to go close today. He was an expensive purchase for a powerful set of connections and his win last time out saw him go into my alerts as a horse to follow. Being out on Montjeu, the conditions today shouldn't pose too much of a threat and unlike many of his opposition, he should have no problem with seeing out the mile. (UP)