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Andrew Asquith looks ahead to Saturday's racing with a selection on every card in Britain - including a Newbury Nap.
Friday selections
FINE INTERVIEW - 4.55 Doncaster (NAP)
Ffos Las maiden winner FINE INTERVIEW was a non-runner on account of the going at Catterick (officially soft) earlier this month but he's since proven that to be a slightly odd decision with a decisive victory at Pontefract and a valiant effort in second at Catterick just six days ago. Timeform called the ground heavy on both of those recent outings so he's clearly happy enough with dig underfoot (as his pedigree would suggest) and, considering the last run should be marked up as he did much the best of those held up in rear early on, the grey is backed to overcome another 2lb rise in the ratings here.
WIDE MARGIN - 6.15 Wolverhampton
Billy Loughnane and George Boughey are always worth respecting and WIDE MARGIN looks a potential improver for the duo as he goes back up in trip on handicap debut. The recent outing in a seven-furlong Southwell maiden did have the look of a sharpener as he got tired after leading, which was fully expected after a 309-day break, so I'd expect him to be physically tighter on this occasion, and that form looks decent enough with the second and third finishing first and second at Newcastle subsequently. There are several winning milers on the dam's side of the pedigree which suggests the distance will be no issue at all and stall eight might not pose too many problems either if getting away sharply enough and able to pick up a prominent early sit.
Saturday selections
TOO MUCH HEAVEN – 2.00 Newbury (NAP)
This looks a good renewal of this Listed event with several progressive types on show, but it was impossible not to be impressed by the manner of TOO MUCH HEAVEN’s debut success over course and distance last month.
She made plenty of appeal on paper – she’s a half-sister to very smart sprinter Regional – attracted support and looked well above average and she blew her rivals out of the water.
Too Much Heaven knew her job, soon sent to the lead and travelling very powerfully, moving clear on the bridle over a furlong out and just kept up to her work in the closing stages to maintain her advantage.
Conditions are set to be testing at Newbury, but she sluiced through soft ground last month, appearing to relish underfoot conditions, and she is more than capable of making her mark in Listed company before having her sights raised even further. Richard Hannon also won this race 12 months ago.
MILLFORCE – 1.45 Cheltenham
Gavin Cromwell is a trainer to follow at Cheltenham, especially in the month of October, where he can boast an impressive 50% strike rate, helped by his three winners at this meeting 12 months ago.
He has several chances on Saturday, but at the prices, MILLFORCE may prove the best of them. It took him six attempts to get off the mark in points, though his form in that sphere is very solid, and he overcame a few scruffy leaps to get off the mark at the first attempt under Rules in a maiden hurdle at Bellewstown in August.
The bare form of that success isn’t anything special, but he displayed a nice turn of foot on good ground, similar to what he will face at Cheltenham, and he also showed improved form in defeat when beaten a short head by a Willie Mullins improver in a novice over three miles at Cork earlier this month.
Again, his jumping wasn’t polished, so there is room for improvement in that area, but he arrives race-fit, will go on the ground, and is very much open to further progress, especially at this trip. At around 9/4, he is a little bigger in the betting than I would have thought.
WALK ON QUEST – 2.45 Kelso
WALK ON QUEST cost €44,000 as a three-year-old, but his sales price rocketed to £100,000 after finishing runner-up on his sole start in Irish points, and he has shown promise in four starts over hurdles so far.
He bumped into a handicap blot who has won again since when runner-up on his handicap debut over hurdles at Perth recently, travelling strongly but shaping as though he’d be sharper for the run on his first start for five months.
Walk On Quest was headed approaching the second-last and had no answer for the impressive winner from there, but he remains a good prospect, especially now switched to fences. This trip will likely be as short as he wants to go, but he is entitled to strip fitter now, and appeals as being particularly well treated now tackling fences for the first time for a yard who do so well with such types.
IRON LION – 3.15 Doncaster
IRON LION has developed into a useful handicapper this season, winning three times up to a mile and a half, and that form stacks up well on the whole, particularly his latest win at Ripon from 4lb lower.
That rival went on to win a Heritage Handicap at York on his next start and he was only beaten half a length in the Mallard Handicap at the St Leger meeting last time from a BHA mark of 100.
Iron Lion himself has beaten just one rival home on his two starts since, which doesn’t look all that appealing on paper, but one came in the Ebor at York over a trip he isn’t proven at, and the other came in Listed company at Chester last time where he had plenty to find at the weights.
That race wasn’t run to suit, either, held up in a race where the first two home raced one-two throughout and Chester isn’t a track which is easy for hold-up horses to make too much ground up from the rear at the best of times.
Iron Lion can also boast a positive record at this course (two wins from three starts) and he goes particularly well in soft ground, also. There are a few who like to go forward in this field, so he should get a good tow into the race, and he looks too big in the betting from a mark he is capable of being competitive from.
SHAMARDIA – 5.25 Chelmsford
SHAMARDIA has shown improved form since being switched to handicaps this season, opening her account over six furlongs at Lingfield last month, and she progressed further in defeat when bumping into a well-backed improver over the same course and distance next time.
She was by far the least exposed horse in the field when quickly resuming winning ways at Wolverhampton two starts back, always well positioned and just shaken up to take up the lead in the final furlong to score a little cosily.
Shamardia failed to beat a rival home back at Wolverhampton last time, but she is best not judged on that effort, having the worst of the draw and asked to do too much too while also being kept three-wide on the turn. It is little surprise that she dropped out of contention in the straight, but she is well worth another chance to prove herself still on the upgrade, bred to be much better than this grade after all, and she has also fared much better with the draw.
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2024 winners...
- Rubaud 9/4 (NAP)
- Three Dons 11/2
- Gesundheit 11/10 (NAP)
- My Bobby's Lass 6/1
- Rousing Encore 11/1
- La Renomee 9/4
- Copshill Lad 2/1
- Wiltshire Lad 5/2 (NAP)
- In The Air 10/11
- Unique Spirit 13/8
- Noble Anthem 11/4
- Unassuming 4/9
- Olympus Point 6/4 (NAP)
- Sycamore Gap 1/3
- Charlotte's Web 13/8
- Shielas Well Evens
- Desert Flower Evens
- Master Dandy 7/4
- Emerald City 6/4
- Secret Of Love 85/40
- Evening Story 7/1
- OJ Lifestyle 13/8 (NAP)
- Good Earth 7/1 (NAP)
- Magico 3/1
- Solar Bircz 9/2 (NAP)
- Soldier's Heart 15/8
- Tommy Beau 7/4
- Mission Command 7/4
- Ice Max 5/1
- La Yakel 7/2 (NAP)
- Crystal Flyer 9/4
- Fine By Me 5/1
- Don Occhetti 11/4
- Chesneys Charm 7/2
- Sanat 11/10 (NAP)
- The Feminine Urge 15/2 (NAP)
- Brave Nation 100/30
- Standbackandlook 100/30
- New Century 15/8
- Almudena 6/4 (NAP)
- Bonaventure 7/2
- Lesley's Boy 13/8 (NAP)
- Myal 12/1 (NAP)
- Mount Teide 10/11
- City Of Delight 1/2 (NAP)
- Heathcliff 5/4 (NAP)
- Arkhalia Flynn 5/2 (NAP)
- Small Fry 5/2
- Arrange 6/1 (NAP)
- Waleefy 11/8 (NAP)
- Profit Street 10/3
- Assailant 16/5 (NAP)
- See That Storm 11/4
- Biplane 11/4
- Theme Park 9/2
- Etoile d'Alexandre 4/1
- Niloufar 5/2
- Maritime Lady 11/4 (NAP)
- Achnamara 5/2 (NAP)
- Royal Pretender 11/2
- Coppull Hall Lane 2/1 (NAP)
- Territorial Knight 2/1
- Miss Information 6/5
- Gutsy Girl 5/1
- Giselles Izzy 5/1
- Porta Fortuna 10/11
- Dreamrocker 5/2
- Allonsy 5/6
- Escape Act 9/2 (NAP)
- Kynsa 4/5
- Regheeb 11/2 (NAP)
- Greek Gift 10/3
- El Burhan 8/13
- Walter Hartright 8/11
- French Master 11/4
- Jehangeer 13/2 (NAP)
- Magnum Opus 18/1
- Allonsy 6/5
- Bergerac 5/1
- Lou Lou's Gift 10/11
- Samoon Star 4/1
- Red Pixie 11/8
- Crown Estate evens
- Miss Attitude 9/2
- Treasure Time 17/2
- Global Asset 13/8
- Twoforthegutter 11/10
- Local Bay 16/5
- Miller Spirit 2/1
- Rebaatt 100/30
- Matterhorn 3/1
- Indemnity 1/2
- John L Sullivan 10/3
- King Of Conquest 11/10 (NAP)
- Fancy Stuff 11/8
- Kings Merchant 9/2 (NAP)
- Boy Douglas 11/2 (NAP)
- Eminent Jewel 8/1
- Trefor 7/2
- Oh So Audacious 85/40
- War Chant 7/2
- Appier 16/5
- Larchill Lass 6/4
- Kilta 13/8
- Doctor Foley 2/1
- Primo Lara 2/1
- Behind The Curtain 5/1
- Seasmoke 3/1
- Ron O 13/2
- Dusky Days 13/2
- King's Gambit 7/2
- Hiatus 7/2
- Katey Kontent 7/2 (NAP)
- Paddy De Pole 11/8
- Chaturanga 5/1 (NAP)
- Silent Move 28/1
- Esmeray 2/1
- Cammarate 2/1
- Tour Ovalie 3/1
- Chatty Chinch 7/4
- Ionity 7/2 (NAP)
- Tiriac 4/1 (NAP)
- Irish Lullaby 8/11
- Hartur D'oudairies 4/1
- Maghlaak 6/1
- Nocte Volatus 16/5
- Rathgar 10/3 (NAP)
- Circus Lion 8/11
- Thelma's Angel 9/2
- Mr Irrelevant 6/5
- White Umbrella 5/1
- Prydwen 3/1
- Arthur's Realm 2/1 (NAP)
- Torosay 5/1
- Garista Bay 9/1
- Uncle Dick 6/4
- Hidalgo Des Bordes 9/2
- Adaay In Devon 3/1
- Solar System 3/1
- Outrun The Storm 18/1
- Horn Cape 2/1
- Sans Bruit 5/1 (NAP)
- Soir De Gala 11/8
- Ernie's Valentine 5/1
- Donnacha 9/4
- Sattwaa 9/1
- Clear White Light 7/4
- Rocking Tree 10/3
- Sea Invasion 7/2 (NAP)
- Ziggy's Missile 11/8
- Mount Athos 6/5 (NAP)
- Chloe's Court 12/1
- Royal Way 5/1 (NAP)
- Leissieres Express 13/8
- Woodie Flash 7/2
- Intinso 8/15
- Notre Dame 5/2
- Outlaw Peter 13/8 (NAP)
- Ballyrashane 4/6
- Politacus 4/1
- Nells Son 8/11
- Nine Tenths 15/8
- Inisherin 4/6
- Big R 2/1 (NAP)
- Haston Clermont 5/4
- Pickanumber 5/6
- Eleutheromania 12/1
- Photosynthesis 9/2 (NAP)
- Hara Kiri 13/8 (NAP)
- Yellow Jacket 10/3
- Prairie Wolf 6/5 (NAP)
- Forward Plan 15/2 (NAP)
- Betterforeveryone 4/1
- Desert Master 17/2
- Coolkill 7/2
- Regal Blue 11/4
- Invincible Nao 7/5
- Alnilam 3/1 (NAP)
- Victoria Milano 6/4 (NAP)
- Ask Me Early 15/2 (NAP)
- Mereside Madness 6/4
- Lilith 6/4 (NAP)
- Masqool 3/1
- Diligent Harry 7/4 (NAP)
- Gingerbred 5/2
- Brewing 85/40 (NAP)
- Royale Dance 3/1
- Morfee 5/4 (NAP)
- Guy 4/1
- Largo Bay 10/3
- Tune In A Box 5/4 (NAP)
- Night On Earth 2/1
- Issar D'Airy 11/10 (NAP)
- Larry 11/4
- Nurse Susan 6/4 (NAP)
- English Spirit 6/4
- Comedian Leader 6/1 (NAP)
- Beneficiary 5/1
- Rare Edition 11/8
- Shantou Moon 15/2
- Townhill 5/2 (NAP)
- Fire Demon 11/8
- Inspiritus 6/1
- Saint Davy 6/5 (NAP)
- Goblet Of Fire 10/11
- Reigning Profit 6/1
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