18:50 Newbury After failing to get competitive over seven and eight furlongs, Poole Belle has shown vast improvement for the drop back to todays’ trip. On penultimate run she just failed to reel in the winner but over three lengths clear of third and went one better last time out (on handicap debut), finishing a comfortable winner in a race that has already shown to have some strength in depth as the second and eighth have gone on to win next time out. The win came on soft ground but she raced well on good-to-firm on racecourse debut, despite finding the trip too far, so the faster ground should hold no concerns here. Recent course and distance winner Field Game is 5lbs higher today but has won off higher marks earlier in his career and although hasn’t won too many in his career most recent races have come on class 2’s and 3’s so has to be considered at this level. Another worthy of a mention is Lightning Charlie who has won three times over six furlongs and, although all victories came on the all-weather, he was only a half length behind the winner when third at Windsor in July and has placed over course and distance on his only previous visit here. Poole Belle (WIN)
19:20 Newbury See And Be Seen hasn’t won in just over a year but has been competing in better races than this and wasn’t disgraced when fourth behind the likes of Sea Of Heaven and Nakeeta at Ascot on penultimate run. A previous course and distance winner, 2lbs below his last winning mark and with winning form on both good and firm ground he should have conditions and trip to suit to make his presence felt here. The only rival to have posted a recent win is stablemate Delagoa Bay but that came on the all-weather. He was handed victory at Bath on penultimate run after being impeded on the run-in, his best effort by far on turf, but was raised 5lbs for that and struggled off this mark when well down the field last time out. At the foot of the weights Monjeni has at least managed a couple of placed efforts in recent runs, finishing well ahead of the afore-mentioned Delagoa Bay last time out but was still almost four lengths behind the winner. Both placed efforts came over a two mile trip and Rosie Jessops 3lbs claim will no doubt help so she rates as the best of the rest. See And Be Seen (E/W if 9/2+)
20:10 Chelmsford Khairaat may not be much of a price here but should take all the beating. He travelled strongly throughout his last race before kicking for home and quickly opening up a three length lead around a furlong out. Although both runs so far have come on turf, the in-form Sir Michael Stoute has a 23% winning strike rate over the last twelve months here at Chelmsford so must think his improving three year old will take to the all-weather. He keeps Paul Hanagan in the saddle who rides Chelmsford well and boasts a 28% winning strike rate when teaming up with the Newmarket trainer. Wild Hacked has proved to be ultra consistent having made the frame in five out of seven career runs and has been racing in class 2’s and 3’s so looks the most likely challenger now dropped back in to a class 4. He is passed over today as his only career win came over a mile and trainer Marco Botti has just a 5% winning strike rate here within the last twelve months. Others to note include Goldenfield who won twice earlier in the year and has placed over course and distance last year but has looked firmly in the handicappers grip the last twice, while Southern Gailes was a solid second at Newcastle last time out but was still over two lengths behind the winner and has been raised 2lbs. Khairaat (WIN)
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