15:50 Newbury
This is a Listed race for two-year-olds being run over six furlongs, and there are some potentially very useful runners in this field.
The most experienced runner in the field is the George Scott trained Another Batt. He has had five runs to date, winning two of them, and appears to be crying out for at least this distance, and probably further. He contested a five furlong Listed race at Royal Ascot (Windsor Castle Stakes), finishing 8th of 22, however, he was doing all of his best work at the finish after being outpaced through the middle part of the race. He looks certain to step up to at least a mile given his breeding, but he will be finishing at strongly as any of these here today and has a chance if he can stay close enough to the pace.
Madeline, trained by Roger Varian won a novice stakes at novice stakes at Goodwood before going on to finish a creditable 5th of 20 in the Albany Stakes (Group 3) at Royal Ascot. The novice win was on good ground so conditions here today are fine, and to me, she looks a big player. The Varian stable is in good form at the moment and jockey Silvestre De Sousa has a fine long term record at Newbury. Over the past five years, he's had 24 winners from 152 runners (15.79%) for a level stakes profit of 42.82 points.
Simmy's Copshop also ran at Royal Ascot last time out and finished 12th, two and a half lengths behind Another Batt, and he's another who looks sure to improve over the extra furlong. He wasn't staying on as strongly as Another Batt in that race but he wasn't worked too hard by Paul Hanagan when it was obvious his chance had gone, therefore, if he improves for that run he could get involved in this.
Way Of Wisdom won a nice looking maiden at Newmarket in May (beating De Bruyne Horse), before being comprehensively beaten into second place when stepped up to six furlongs next time out. That horse has gone on to compete in Group 2 company, therefore it was no disgrace to lose in that style and Way Of Wisdom was well clear of the rest. Having only two runs to date he has plenty of room for improvement, and trainer Charlie Appleby has an excellent record with runners that have been off the track for more than 60 days. For such horses, he's had 35 winners (21.60%) and 82 places (50.62%) from 162 runners, for level stakes profits of 14.80 and 39.77 respectively.
The Richard Hannon trained Natural won a soft ground maiden at Doncaster over seven furlongs, before being well beaten in the Albany Stakes. It is hard to know what to make of her off the back of that run, but any rain looks like it will be a positive.
Today's selection
Madeline - 3 points @ 9/4 (Sunbets) Sunbets are the stand out price on Madeline, and they have a very good welcome offer is you don't already have an account with them. Click here to open an account with them.