1:20 Newbury

1:20 Newbury - Fago (6/4) - 6pt win - I have been waiting for this horse to appear on British soil since I saw him race at Auteuil last year. He is very well built,  jumps well and relishes soft/heavy ground.

Looking back through Fago's form, it is evident that this horse is top draw and is probably entitled to be ranked amongst some of the best French imports this year. He was only beaten 8 lengths by the incredibly talented, and promising, Ulyssia Royale, who I think has the potential to be a top class horse. Fago has also been placed in a grade 3 company and has already amassed £134,000 in earning.

Although Fago has recently been racing over further than today's trip, he has plenty of form over 18f and his pedigree would suggest that he has the tactical speed required to compete over 17f. He's a long striding, galloping type and therefore the nature of the track at Newbury should really suit him. He's a horse who likes to get his own way and given that his jumping is faultless, I wouldn't be surprised if Ruby sets off in front, gets the horse into a rhythm and makes this a real test.

We all know how well Nicholls does with his French imports and although Fago is relatively new to the yard, he has bundles of chasing experience and considering that his opposition have only had two runs over fences between them, this really is a race which he should be able to dictate, dominate and win. The current price of 6/4 looks more that fair as I wasn't particularly impressed by Colour Squadrons jumping last time out and he would appear to be the only real danger. Paul is still in great form, Ruby's on-board and I expect a stella performance from this very promising horse. (1st)