_edited.png)
15:15 Wetherby
The first of the jumps meetings at Wetherby is where the action gets us underway with a Novices’ Hurdle.
Dalia Pour Moi represents the very much in-form Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson combination. This six-year-old won a point-to-point over at Cregg Racecourse in December. It looks an interesting buy and on paper is best watched with that point-to-point form may not be the strongest compared to some of his rivals here today.
Potters Corner was third behind Barters Hill in the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree and stayed on well for that position. Paul Morgan’s charge was a winner two weeks ago in a maiden hurdle at Chepstow justifying favouritism and showed he could prove a useful prospect. He does carry a penalty, along with Wolf Sword, meaning they give weight away but for me he looks a good type and capable of winning again.
Jonjo O’Neill’s Mustmeetalady has had two goes so far and has finished second on both occasions. The run at Uttoxeter over three miles was his best and for me he would be better suited by stepping back up in trip in time. In his pedigree there are a few high-class hurdlers, so he could be fancied in time.
Potters Corner (WIN)
16:10 Nottingham
This looks a really good competitive handicap and two of the three-year-old’s are likely to be prominent in the market.
Raw Impulse has been sent off favourite in all three handicaps placing on every occasion. His win came over course and distance in a maiden and has the scope to progress and win a handicap off this nature. Sir Michael Stoute’s Darshini was fifth behind Simple Verse when last seen 112 days ago but with the current going description there would be concerns about him racing.
Buonarroti gets the vote as an each-way selection. He shaped really well under David Allan at Haydock only to find the now 100-rated Penhill better than him. At Ayr on his last run he wasn’t beaten far considering finishing eighth and not having the easiest passage through. He was formerly with Aidan O’Brien where he won his only race and finished fifth behind Kingston Hill in the Racing Post Trophy, finishing ahead of The Grey Gatsby. This four-year-old is a son of Galileo, so should handle the softer conditions and looks a fairly good each-way pick.
Primogeniture won a weak looking race at Ripon two starts ago before disappointing at Beverley. He had previously being consistent but no doubt David O’Meara will have him in some sort of form. Mica Mika had a spell of winning towards the start of the season but has managed to hit the frame recently. It was a good run at Epsom and conditions should suit.
Buonarroti (E/W)
18:45 Kempton
A fillies maiden on the polytrack under the Kempton lights is where we find our final selection.
Black Bess sets a high standard on the back of her third to Sunflower at Windsor 37 days ago. That was a good run and she did face a few in-running problems at about two furlongs out. However the slight concern here is the wide draw in stall 12. Catchment also has two runs under her belt in two competitive maidens. On debut she was in a race won by since Group 3 winner La Rioja and Group 3 second Alamode. Her second run was in another maiden that looked good to the eye but maybe not as much in the formbook. She could run well on this surface being related to some nice types.
David Simcock’s Veena ran in a good maiden here 23 days ago over 7f. She drops in trip here and is well-drawn in stall two. The race she made her debut in has seen a winner since with the second Dutch Destiny winning on Monday at Salisbury. She did race with an awkward head carriage, which may be slightly off-putting but she’ll have learnt from the run, especially with it being at this course and she wasn’t knocked about.
One of the newcomers could be capable of hitting the frame here. Escalate was a €48,000 yearling and is a Fast Company filly. She is a sister to Listed winner Devonshire. Jeremy Noseda is three from 19 with his juveniles this year, with two of those winners coming here, however only one has won on debut.
Veena (E/W if 9/2+)