The ground has been drying steadily at Brighton since the final declarations for today’s meeting were made on Sunday, but the going is of little account to Roy Rocket (3.50) when he gets the sea air into his nostrils.
John Berry’s grey lost his maiden tag at the 16th attempt back in April 2015 when he raced at Brighton for the first time, and since then he has added five more victories here to his record while without once getting his head in front anywhere else. He has yet to win off a mark as high as today’s 73, which is a slight concern, but his successful return to action last month over one-and-a-half miles was one of his best runs to date and with that race behind him, he should stand every chance of defying a 6lb rise in the weights at a track that suits him so well.
Provoking (4.20) has yet to record at win at Brighton but ran well at the course last month when making his seasonal debut at a mile. He is 2lb lower today and also steps back up to 10 furlongs, which should work in his favour.
At Nottingham, Chelsea’s Boy (3.00) should go well in the stayers’ handicap while Marilyn (3.30) catches the eye at around 8-1 in the fillies’ handicap. She probably needed the run on her seasonal debut at Newmarket’s Craven meeting and could be running off a generous mark on the basis of her success in a maiden at Yarmouth last year.
Kinloch Pride (5.40) has won four of her five starts since the turn of the year but has shown definite improvement with every start and is well worth a bet at around 100-30 to defy another 7lb rise at Newcastle.
Monday’s tips
Brighton: 2.20 Arabian Jazz, 2.50 Sweet Pursuit, 3.20 Black Bess, 3.50 Roy Rocket (nb), 4.20 Provoking, 4.50 Kefeel, 5.20 Fairy Mist, 5.50 Duke Of North.
Newcastle: 2.10 Muzaahim, 2.40 Broctune Papa Gio, 3.10 Shargiah, 3.40 Master Singer, 4.10 Morning Suit, 4.40 Major Crispies, 5.10 Hamidans Girl, 5.40 Kinloch Pride (nap).
Nottingham: 2.00 Master Grey, 2.30 Angel Palanas, 3.00 Chelsea’s Boy, 3.30 Marilyn, 4.00 Sporting Times, 4.30 Al Nafoorah, 5.00 Corridor Kid.
Hexham: 5.45 New List, 6.15 Apache Pilot, 6.45 Cape Hideaway, 7.15 No Such Number, 7.50 Hattons Hill, 8.20 Cairnshill, 8.50 Bygones For Coins.
Huntingdon: 5.35 New Agenda, 6.05 Lake Chapala, 6.35 Zayfire Aramis, 7.05 Tell The Tale, 7.35 Cobra De Mai, 8.05 Golanova, 8.35 Always Archie.
