GLORY SET TO SOAR AT NEWBURY

12:55 Newbury

A good race to watch for the future with several potential high-class recruits on show:

Amarillo Sky won an Irish Point before being purchased for £280,000 and is now trained by Colin Tizzard. I do feel this horse will end up the best horse in this race and all being well expect to see him at Cheltenham in March, that being said however this is not the day I want to be involved, first time over hurdles and I am concerned with the yards current form. The yard has a 6% strike rate over the last fortnight which is way below what’s expected from this stable.

Dusart, bought for £85,000 as a 3yo, is a half brother to 4 winners including the classy and much missed Simonsig. Ridden by the very under-rated Nico De Boinville this is another horse I expect to see in better races as the season progresses. However, it's the Jonjo O'Neill trained SOARING GLORY that I'm opting with. His bumper form from last year reads very well with a win over Kid Commando and a second to the well-regarded Israel Champ. He's already had one run over hurdles and made a winning start at Chepstow. He did it quite comfortably that day and the form was franked on Tuesday when runner up Bravemansgame won by 11 lengths. Likely to improve for this run and will be suited by the softer ground. Just like his rivals he has lots of potential but has an edge in experience with form from last year and a seasonal return already under his belt. SOARING GLORY

15:05 Newbury

Another decent race on this quality Thursday card at Newbury. The selection goes to Alan Kings AZZERTI. Winner of this race last year he runs here off a 4lb lower mark. He struggled after last years success due to a combination of soft ground and his increased rating of 139. After a nice long summer break he made his reappearance at Fontwell in a Class 2 handicap where he claimed a very promising fourth place. Dropped a further 2lb bu the handicapper since and now lining up in a Class 3 race he's likely to be better for a first run in over 7 months he looks value at his current price of 17/2 especially with some bookmakers currently paying 4 places. AZZERTI

16:15 Newbury

A National Hunt Flat race with little racecourse experience on show, however it may be worth a small bet on Ben Pauling's FINE CASTING. Ridden by the previously mentioned Nico De Boinville this un-raced four year old cannot be ignored. Pauling had a poor year last year due to very soft ground and a lot of horses not running as expected. This and the shortened jumps season have left the trainer with some very promising young horses, that haven't yet had an opportunity to shine. He seems very well regarded in the yard and is possibly a top class prospect, Out of Shantou he is well bred and although punting in these races is a minefield the horse may have slipped under the bookies radar at an opening 15/2. FINE CASTING

written by Steve Marriott