NEWBURY 20th April

So much racing going on today, but I will just take a closer look at just three.

The first is the Newbury Spring Cup, run over the straight mile. This does take away the wide drawn factor on the round course, but with so many runners the will tend to split into two, may be three groups at some point. So again pace into the race will be important. There has been no going changes at the time of writing, so the soft side of good, and perhaps good on the home straight with no further showers. That is the background, here are the clues;

Newbury 1.55: 8f Class 2 H'cap; in betting order...

EDUCATE won close home at Doncaster, but has gone up 5lbs, and my rating got swallowed up by that.
GLOBAL VILLAGE is a consistent sort, but as such he is never well h'capped. Will run his race.
BORDER LEGEND I cannot see the attraction with this horse. Placed in Class 4 races?
BRAE HILL ran a good race last time and is always a danger in these h'caps.
CAPTAIN BERTIE - ditto from above
GUEST OF HONOUR has no appeal for me, as it has no recent turf form to speak of?

That is the top order of the better as I write, so to outsider's with a chance;

NORSE BLUES has been backed. has a good chance on ratings, goes well fresh. Going no problem. Drawn near a rail, which he should grab as he is a front runner. Only question is it the 'right side'?

HAAF A SIXPENCE has run this season behind Educate, and showed he is effective on turf. Good chance.

JUSTONEFORTHEROAD wasn't well h'capped behind LEVITATE, and both are worse off here. They are fit, and the Fahey stable are in great form re the former. Up against it though?

CHAPTER SEVEN was further behind the above two, but ran a sound race and on best form has a great chance. He is drawn low so will have Norse Blues to take him into the race.

On the high drawn side:

ES QUE LOVE is a great battler, but 8f on the polytrack does not mean he can see out this trip at this level. But if he has untapped stamina he is one to have on your side.

DANCE AND DANCE does not need to step up too much on best form, but has not been that consistent in the past. Has a good mark and should be better for the run.

CRIUS is a class horse to be a big price. Like the above, on best form has a real chance. As with all three of last mentioned, they will have LEVITATE to take them into the race

It will be just my luck if the middle of the track has the quicker ground, but from the shape of it, it looks more like one wing or the other?

Newbury 2.55: 7f Class 1 Group 3 fillies stakes.

ROSDHU QUEEN one of my favourite 2yo's from last season. Interesting that J Murtagh has the booking, with a view to keep the ride in the 1000gns perhaps? Like all these trials, they are not at their peak yet, but she has never let supporters thus far and I don't think she will disappoint today. Stamina is the big question mark as she was very speedy last season. That said, if they are seriously thinking the Guineas mile is within her compass, then this is well within her grasp.

THE GOLD CHEONGSAM is probably the main danger on last season's form, but others may have improved over the winter?

Newbury 3.30: 7f Class 1 Group 3 stakes colts.
Smaller field for this race and that means it could turn out to be falsely run?

OLYMPIC GLORY  despite his legion of fans, and the stable bang in form, I think he will struggle here.

MOOHAAJIM ran the quirky but very talented Reckless Abandon to a neck. That race produced my highest rated 2yo race, which puts him well clear in this race. Only lack of fitness will prevent this horse from looking like the main danger to Dawn Approach in the 2000gns?

The Newmarket trials are both confusing. Visually superb HOT SNAP will find it tougher in the real race, despite running a sound time.
The running of the disappointing DUNDONNELL was understandable from quotes after the race. I doubt he was much more than 80% fit with an interrupted preparation. The winner, TORANADO, did not produce an outstanding time that is deserving of all the hype. It must have been quite steady early on, and got faster towards the finish. I cannot see him doing that when they go faster from the off. Another clever ride from an inferior stablemate and one needing the run. Yes he will improve, but he has to because that race did not even reach his best 2yo level. If today's winner produces a half decent run today, I would take him over TORANADO every time.
I think Dundonnell may have to wait for the Irish 2000gns to gain his revenge, unless that race brings him on at least a stone?

Have a good day ...