NIETZSCHE’S STAR stands out in the KKA Studio Handicap (4.15) at Newbury this afternoon.
The Andrew Balding-trained son of Exceed And Excel failed to trouble the scorer in three starts – at Ascot, Newmarket and Newbury – last summer.
But, off course for 245 days – during which time he was gelded – Nietsche’s Star took a big step forward when making his first start in handicaps at Lingfield last month.
Sent off at 11-2 in a field of 11, Tom Queally’s mount well within himself before asserting to beat Major Gatsby by a length and a half.
The handicapper didn’t take that effort lying down and my selection must race from a British Horseracing Authority rating of 71 after an 8lb rise in the weights.
But Nietsche’s Star looks capable of progressing in his second season and the follow-up is very much on the cards.
Adrian Nicholls’ team are at the top of their game and ABATE should give another good account of himself in the Visit racingtv.com Handicap (3.30).
The six-year-old is gradually coming to the boil this season and, after a half-length second to Four Adaay at Nottingham last time, is ripe to exploit a drop to a mark of 80.
THURSDAY'S SELECTIONS
NEWBURY
1.00 TYNWALD
1.35 BROAD APPEAL
2.10 MYSTERIOUS NIGHT
2.40 WHITEBEAM
3.10 STAY ALERT
3.40 BEARAWAY
4.15 NIETZSCHE’S STAR (NAP)
4.50 THEY DON’T KNOW
YARMOUTH
1.50 SELENE’S DREAM
2.20 CASTLEBERG ROCK
2.50 HENRY THE FIFTH
3.20 FAST FORWARD
3.50 PARADIS
4.25 BY YOUR SIDE
5.00 BONUS
NOTTINGHAM
2.00 MARBAAN
2.30 THUNDER ROAR
3.00 TAZAMAN
3.30 ABATE (NB)
4.00 ENDERMAN
4.35 SMILING JAYNE
5.05 DESTINADO
HAYDOCK PARK
4.55 ARCH MOON
5.25 SECRET MISTRAL
5.55 FOX HILL
6.25 QUEEN OF DEAUVILLE
6.55 SILKY WILKIE
7.25 LIGHTENING COMPANY
8.55 DRILL TO DREAM
UTTOXETER
5.35 GOLD LEADER
6.05 BUTLER’S BRIEF
6.35 FLAMOYANT JOYAUX
7.05 NO RECOLLECTION
7.35 INTO THE SUNSET
8.05 SOUL ICON
8.35 TANGO ARUMBA
DOUBLE: NIETZSCHE’S STAR and ABATE
