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16:00 Newcastle
The first of two selections, both of which come on the all-weather this Tuesday, sees me side with a former course and distance victor here at Newcastle.
The market principle Plastic Paddy aims to add to his course and distance winning record with returning jockey Robert Winston set for the ride. The three year old was a beaten favourite last time out and looks to atone for that loss however he's not the former course and distance winner that I'm siding with.
Six year old Fennaan has claimed previous glory here at Newcastle and looks to hold a solid chance back here again. Prior to his last outing he hadn't competed in this grade since April 2018 and as such has a fantastic chance against this level of opposition. He's a whopping 18lbs below his last winning mark and won a similar race here this time last year. The yard have bagged a recent winner and the trainer should go close to adding to their tally in this.
Of the remainder a return to an artificial surface has the potential to produce an improved effort from The Sedberghian. The lightly raced three year old makes his stable debut for trainer Sam England after a solid third placed finish at Doncaster earlier in the year. He produced a decent effort in his sole start at Newcastle and his only career victory came on the all-weather. If the trainer has him ready to fire on his first run for the yard he could finish in the money.
FENNAAN (E/W)
18:00 Kempton
My second and final selection sees us head down south to this evening's meeting from Kempton where I make what many could consider a somewhat obscure selection.
Of the 13 runners that are set to go to post a total of 8 are young three year old's which, in a handicap of this nature is rare. Often races such as this contain a majority of seasoned, experienced handicappers but that isn't the case here and as such I see myself siding, not just with a younger horse but one that is lightly raced, is still a maiden and is yet to even place in their career to date. That being said Cuban Musketeer gets my vote. His best performance so far came on debut here at Kempton so a return to this venue should be of benefit. He's yet to tackle this one mile trip so I'm hoping this longer distance will produce a better effort and making his handicap debut is given a decent enough mark to potentially take his first step into the winners enclosure. With Richard Kingscote a very interesting jockey booking I'm happy to side with this outsider at a big price.
Bearwith aims to make it back to back victories after winning at Wolverhampton most recently. He's a consistent type who's finished in the top three in his last three performance but an 11lb hike in weight may have seen the handicapper put pay to his chances.
Of the handful of older horses former course and distance winner Makambe did well to finish third last time out and may go well once more and it'd be foolish to discount Epic Express who went close when second recently.
CUBAN MUSKETEER (E/W)
written by Rory Paddock