_edited.png)
17:00 Newmarket We begin todays’ weekender with a Class 2 Fillies’ Nursery over seven furlongs. The three at the head of the market all arrive here on the back of last time out wins and look the ones to concentrate on. Al Shahaniya has won two small field races so far and is looking to keep her 100% win record intact by notching up a hat-trick with another win today. She looks to be an exciting prospect and opening handicap mark of 83 looks reasonable so is taken to come out on top today. Renfrew Street has also only raced twice but left a lasting impression in a Class 5 at Beverley earlier this month, winning by an impressive four and a half lengths over todays’ trip. The step up in class will likely make things more difficult but based on her last run she has the potential to improve further and is respected. Drifting Spirit has won her last two including a win over course and distance last time out. She’s been handed a 4lbs rise for that ¾ length victory but should be capable of getting in the mix again. Al Shahaniya (WIN)
18:45 Chelmsford A competitive looking Class 2 handicap is where we find our second selection of todays’ weekender. Doctor Sardonicus looks likely to head the market and looks to have a decent chance. With a win and a placed effort from two previous runs here at Cheltenham it is obvious he has no issue with the surface and will likely benefit from the drop in trip having been run down in the final furlong last time out. Dynamo Walt has had a three month break since notching up a course and distance double earlier in the year but has only been raised 3lbs and has a 71% strike rate for top three finishes here. His record over the minimum trip is equally as impressive with over half of his twenty seven runs returning place money as a minimum. Furthermore, he has returned from similar breaks on two occasions previously, winning on both re-appearances, and should be capable of a big run again here. Of the remainder, Vimy Ridge and Sleepy Sioux are better than recent bare form suggests and are capable of making their presence felt if arriving on a good day. Dynamo Walt (E/W if 9/2+)
19:15 Chelmsford Balty Boys followed up a close second over seven furlongs at Ascot with a win over a mile at Haydock last time out and should have no problems stepping up again having won over todays’ trip earlier in the year. Silvestre De Sousa is booked for the ride so a bold bid is to be expected, however it seems an odd choice to suddenly switch to the polytrack for the first time after forty four prior races on turf. Tryster on the other hand has won all five previous starts on an artificial surface, including the Winter Derby. Most of these wins came over ten furlongs but he has also been successful over todays’ trip and won on his return from a break last time out so should be capable of doing the same again here. At likely each way prices both Western Reserve and Lets Go deserve a mention and could both be poised to strike if the favourite disappoints. Tryster (WIN)