Hi all,

There's no racing on ITV this afternoon, but the two-day Greenham Meeting at Newbury kicks off with an intriguing and competitive card. Meanwhile, north of the border, it's the first of two days of racing at Ayr's Scottish Grand National meeting.

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on two of the Newbury races.

Newbury

2:12 – Dubai Duty Free Handicap (Class 3) – 6f

Plenty of old favourites as you would expect in a sprint handicap like this. However, the early bird market leader is the unexposed 4-year-old Grand Traverse. Grand Traverse won at Newcastle on his stable debut for Archie Watson last month. A winner on soft ground when trained in France he’s only four career starts and could be capable of better. Has to have strong claims from what might be a good draw in stall 4.

Bernardo O'Reilly won this corresponding race 12 months ago and is 5lb lower this time around. Like last year he’s had a prep run at Doncaster prior to coming here. Wouldn’t want the ground to dry out too much before race time but provided it doesn’t and gets a strong pace to chase, he’ll be thereabouts.

Gisburn ran poorly when well fancied for this race last year. However, whilst he goes well with juice in the ground, I don’t think he appreciated heavy ground 12 months ago. Back from a break but is competitively weighted and his yard is among the winners in recent days.

Chairmanoftheboard finished ¾ length behind Bernardo O'Reilly at Doncaster on his seasonal return. He’s suited by softish ground and is handicapped to go close but he’s on a losing run that goes back to October 2021. No doubt he'll pop up sometime this season.

Aplomb’s losing run goes back even further to September 2020 but ran well enough at times last season to think he can win off his present mark when all the cards fall right.  A good fifth in this race last year off 5lb higher. You wouldn’t be surprised to see him go close.

3:45 – Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd Silver Bar Handicap (Class 2) – 2m ½ f

Metier who won the Chester Cup last May, from 4lb lower, had a recent spin over hurdles and must be respected here on ground that suits.

Robert Johnson won five times in a productive 2023 and was a good 2^nd of 17 in a staying handicap (2m 4 ½ f) at Goodwood last August. Likely needed his seasonal reappearance at Pontefract 17 days ago and should go well.

Prince Alex is a slow boat but goes well on soft ground and was back to form on his final two starts last season. He’s switched yards again (same ownership) and first time up could be the time to catch him.

Beamish was a classy stayer in Ireland when trained by Paddy Twomey. Now with Archie Watson and is having his first start for 544 days.  Ground should be fine for the 6-year-old but on soft ground his stamina for 2m must be taken on trust.

L'Astronome was a useful performer when trained in France won a Group 2 in May 2022. Just two starts for trainer Hugo Palmer last season and returns from wind surgery. He could be suited two miles and is interesting on his seasonal/handicap debut.

Friday Selection:

Jason Hart comes to Newbury for one ride for the inform Hugo Palmer stable. That means I’m going to take a chance on the fitness of L'Astronome on his seasonal reappearance.

3:45 – L'Astronome – 16/1 @ Bet365.

Good luck with your Friday bets.

John