16:10 Newbury
This is a two mile handicap with just the seven runners and it has a competitive look to it as expected for a good Class 2 race.
Leviathan hasn't got his head in front for a while and has consequently come flying down the weights. He is now a full 18 pounds lower than his top mark and looks really well treated if managing to recapture anything like his old form.If this race did have eight runners then he would be a definite possibility for an each way shout, but as it is, I think he is best watched.
Thunder Streak for Nigel Twiston-Davies won very nicely as Haydock last weekend and has a seven pound penalty for that win. The manner of that win would make him a big danger here today but the deterioration of the ground has gone against him so I think he will struggle to reproduce that form.
The Philip Hobbs trained Gala Ball is in fantastic form having completed a hat trick of wins last time out at Newbury, winning by seven lengths. He does go well in the softer conditions and has course form to go with that. He has taken another hike in the weights after his latest victory however, shooting up another ten pounds, which makes him 25 pounds heavier than when he completed the first of his three wins. This is also another step up in class so I think he will need to improve again to take this and at the prices, I can see better value elsewhere.
Montbazon for Alan King unseated last time out at the festival in the Vincent O'Brien and prior to that his was midfield in a decent race here at Newbury. He has had his rating dropped a little and I think he looks on a really dangerous mark for a race at this level. He handles the softer conditions well enough, has raced several times at Newbury and I think he is a class above his rivals here today and can see him running out a very nice winner at what looks a nice price.
Today's Selection
Newbury 16:10 - Monbazon - 2 points @ 9/2 (Coral)