Newmarket Friday

Good morning everyone,

Lovely to be back watching some quality racing, and given I was only going to tiptoe back in, I've had a decent week, having backed Zodiakos e/w in the very first race back, and not looked back since!

That's set me nicely up for a fall and a half today, but if yesterday at Newmarket is anything to go by, if you can find something that's going to race up with the pace and grab a rail, you've got a pretty good chance of success. Golden highway ahoy, captain!

I like one at a big price today, especially with the ground on the quick side. To find out what, read on….

3.00 Newmarket – Paradise Stakes

Sangarius has the potential to be better class than this, but the fact is that he wasn’t seen out after his Ascot win after picking up some niggles and I’d rather be a watcher than a backer at 13-8, especially over a trip that might not be his best. (Update – he's out now anyway, ground too quick, which rather changes the shape of the race. )

Momkin was hard to win with last year but equally didn’t get the best of luck on more than one occasion. In truth he progressed quite nicely as the year went on though, and might well have more to offer this season. This step back up to a mile will suit after a staying-on seventh in Riyadh when last seen out, and the quick ground will be very much in his favour. I’d rather chance a few quid on him instead.

3.35 – Coronation Cup

Sadly I've already done my money once here, as I backed Comminique earlier on in the week, and he wasn't declared. Bah.

Are you a Ghayyaith believer or not? Some of his performances are absolutely monstrous – arguably too good to be true – and when you think he went off two’s on to beat Arc winner Waldgeist in the Prix Ganay last year (before getting beaten), his chance here is clear enough.

To me he either wins or blows out completely, and if it’s the latter, then this could be a race to get stuck into. Stradivarious’s quality and courage is not in any doubt, but this does look like a warm up for the Gold Cup. Then again, it is a Group 1 event, and although the trip is on the short side (especially on what promises to be quick ground), and although normally held up, I wonder whether he might be able to pester Ghayyaith enough mid-race to enable Defoe to come through late and nick it.

Last year’s winner of this was below his best when beaten at Meydan in March, but with that run under his belt, hopefully they have been able to keep him ticking over, and he should be all the better for that here. He’s more versatile with the ground these days too, and can win this race again.

I could be half-tempted to try him in a few forecasts with the rags, too.

4.10 – 1m4f Handicap

There are some unexposed sorts in here and plenty can be given chances, but with the prospect of this being well-run, it might be worth chancing the classy handicap hurdler Chesterfield to spring a surprise.

The fact he’s now ten years old and has been out of sorts for much of the winter and spring will put plenty off, but slogging around on wet ground was never his bag, and this quicker ground is much more to his liking. In fact, 12f on quick ground could be absolutely ideal for him and there’s no denying he is well treated if that is that case, his Flat mark being some 60lb lower than his hurdles mark. Looks big enough to risk, especially with four places on offer.

1.50 – 6f Handicap

I was with Dazzling Dan a few times last year and he did us a couple of favours. He progressed nicely throughout the season and his defeat of the subsequent Portland winner Oxted on the July course here last August, giving him 2lb, reads very well. He’s just at home on the Rowley as well, as he showed when winning here on his second start of last season, and almost won on his seasonal debut too, so can go well fresh. The ground and draw are ideal, and he can start this season off on a winning note.

Today's selection – Chesterfield (e/w 4 places) 4.10 Newmarket

Good luck with all your bets today,

David.