Only one of the seven races on a relatively low-key card at Newbury this afternoon has attracted a double-figure field, and that is the opening maiden in which five of the 11 runners are priced at 33-1 or bigger. All five of the meeting’s handicaps have something to recommend them, however, and the one-mile event at 3.25 makes particular appeal as it may well boil down to an effective match between two horses at around 2-1.
Rebel Assault and Almoreb are the two runners in question, and while it seems odd on the face of it that neither has managed to register a win this season in a combined total of 12 starts, both have been running consistently well at this level or higher.
Almoreb is dropping down to Class 3 company having finished a close sixth in a Class 2 at Sandown last time and also 1lb lower in the weights, which gives him the beating of most of today’s field. He may have his hands full with Rebel Assault (3.25), however, as Mark Johnston’s filly travelled for a long way like a horse with a pound or two in a hot race at Goodwood last week which was run in an excellent time. There is some 9-4 available about her on Tuesday morning and that looks a very fair price.
The nursery handicap that follows has a similar shape and Stay Classy (3.55) is the one to back against market rival Even Keel after an improved performance to win in a decent time at Windsor a fortnight ago. Returning Glory (4.30) looks solid in the 10-furlong contest, while Casima (3.10) should go well at around 3-1 at Catterick. Archie Perkins (7.25) and Up Sticks And Go (7.50) make most appeal on the evening cards at Nottingham and Ayr respectively.
Newbury: 1.45 Magnetic Charm 2.20 Glamorous Dream 2.50 Hot Team
3.25 Rebel Assault (nap) 3.55 Stay Classy (nb) 4.30 Returning Glory 5.00 Golden Image
Catterick Bridge: 2.05 Al Mortajaz 2.35 Imperial Legend 3.10 Casima 3.40 Silk Mill Blue 4.15 Chaplin Bay 4.45 Druid’s Diamond 5.15 Christmas Night
Nottingham: 5.20 Sky Patrol 5.50 Strawberry Jack 6.20 Eponina 6.55 Spanish Archer 7.25 Archie Perkins 8.00 Moon Song 8.30 Daffy Jane
Ayr: 5.40 Fognini 6.10 Northern Society 6.45 Rego Park Lady 7.15 Gateway 7.50 Up Sticks And Go 8.20 Alabanza 8.50 Ana Lichious
