Fakenham was lost to the elements on Tuesday but, at the time of writing, no problems expected at Newbury for today’s seven-race card.
Gowel Road (2.30) is, arguably, well treated off an opening mark of 122 given he ran a terrific race on debut when runner up to Bear Ghylls in receipt of 6lbs. The latter is now rated 140 and is likely to run on Trials Day later in the month at Cheltenham to see if he is a genuine Ballymore contender. The selection failed to improve when fourth over C&D last month but that was a time when the stable were going through a quiet spell and Nigel Twiston-Davies has had five winners in the last fortnight. The each way recommendation is 9/2 with 10bet who are offering five places.
Gunsight Ridge represents inform Olly Murphy but may need better ground to be at his most effective.
Panic Attack’s (3.05) record in mares’ only races reads 1121 and she is taken to defy an 11lb rise for a fluent success over today’s C&D here three weeks ago. She ran away with a listed Bumper when trained by Willie Mullins and has a progressive profile although she has disappointed in both starts at Cheltenham. Dame Du Soir made a winning return to timber at Chepstow last time and will revel in underfoot conditions, but that was not the strongest of races and a 6lbs rise may prevent her following up. The 5/2 with William Hill was too big and the mare is 6/4 with Boylesports at the time of posting.
El Kaldoun jumped well – many did not – when scoring at Taunton from a 3lbs lower mark on his penultimate start and showed his current wellbeing when second in a Jumpers Bumper at Lingfield earlier in the month. He must go close, but I think this rests between Ouro Branco and Onefortheroadtom (3.35) with Harry Fry’s grey getting the ew vote.
The form of Ouro Branco’s latest Wincanton success has been franked by the wins of the second and third and a 10lbs rise may not prevent him landing his hat-trick. Note he is 2lbs well in as he is due to go up another couple of pounds in the handicap from the weekend. He steps up to 3m for the first time today.
I like the booking of Kevin Brogan for Onefortheroadtom – 6s from 13/2 with BetVictor 4 places – who shaped better than his finishing position would suggest at Ascot on his reappearance. His wins have all come on better ground, but he has run well on the soft in the past.
Chepstow must pass a 7.30 inspection on raceday. If racing gets the green light, I hope to see Le Cameleon (1.35) go one better in the novices’ handicap chase than when second at Market Rasen last time over an additional quarter of a mile. Today’s 2m 3f+ trip looks ideal and he receives 11lbs from top-weight and likely market leader Coconut Splash. There is 9/2 available at the time of posting.
