Apologies for no article on the opening day of the Spring Meeting at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, but Day Two brings a solid racecard, though lacking in real quality it would have to be said. The day is headlined with two novice Class 2 contests, here’s my thoughts on each race:
Race 1: Daily Profit Boosts at BetMGM Handicap 1m (13:42 – 4yo+ Class 4)
The opening race of the day sees twelve contest this Class 4 over the straight mile, with the market currently headed by TWISTING PHYSICS, who is very lightly raced and came back last time out after over 300 days off the track to finish a respectable 6th of fourteen at Newbury, and will look to build on that to justify favouritism here. Second in the market STERLING KNIGHT finished third last time out over course and distance here, and will go off on his last winning mark. At a bigger price GORGEOUS MR GEORGE finished second over course and distance in his debut season last year, and has a strike rate of 25% on the turf, though all of those wins came at Yarmouth.
Prediction: 1st TWISTING PHYSICS 15/8F, 2nd STERLING KNIGHT 6/1, 3rd GORGEOUS MR GEORGE 14/1 – Most Overpriced: GORGEOUS MR GEORGE 14/1
Race 2: Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes 6f (14:15 – 2yo, Class 2)
A Class 2 sprint for these 2-year-old debutants, with the first four in the market very close together. Amo Racing bring two of these in AMBIENCE (850,000gns), who wears a tongue tie, and QUEENCARD (200,000gns). Market favourite is currently Juddmonte’s JOLIVETTE, who on pedigree is probably the pick. HAPPY ENOUGH also deserves a mention, who races for a yard in good form when it comes to 2-year-olds. As always with newcomers, the market will be teeling.
Prediction: 1st AMBIENCE 3/1, 2nd JOLIVETTE 11/4F, 3rd QUEENCARD 10/3
Race 3: Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap 7f (14:50 – 4yo+, Class 3)
The biggest field of the day sees thirteen contest this Class 3, and course and distance winner SILVER GHOST stakes a strong claim, this one finishing third here on reappearance is certainly encouraging. Joint market favourite FORTY YEARS ON will look to make an impact on seasonal debut, having finished last season with brilliant form figures of 31112. The one worth a look at a bigger price is DARK TORNADO, who is also a course and sitance winner, making his first appearance since wind surgery.
Prediction: 1st SILVER GHOST 11/2, 2nd DARK TORNADO 25/1, 3rd FORTY YEARS ON 5/1 – Most Overpriced: DAR TORNADO 25/1
Race 4: Download the BetMGM App Handicap 6f (15:27 – 4yo+ Class 4)
Course and distance winner DASHING DICK looks great value at a bigger price, having shaken the cobwebs in a below par performance at Leicester last month. Preference, however, is for fellow C&D winner SIXTYGEESBABY, who now looks attractive in the weights thanks to some poor performances so far this year, may bounce back at this track he clearly likes. Third choice is PRESSURE’S ON, who has won here but it would appear his favoured distance is yet to be pinpointed.
Prediction: 1st SIXTYGEESBABY 11/2, 2nd DASHING DICK 14/1, 3rd PRESSURE’S ON 11/1 – Most Overpriced: DASHING DICK 14/1
Race 5: Darley EBF Novice Stakes 1m4f (16:02 – 3yo Class 2)
The second Class 2 of the day sees five inexperienced entries take to the track, with the odds on favourite being Godolphin’s SHABA AL AHLI, who won well on debut at Southwell and didn’t disgrace himself when fourth at Newbury after that, looks the one to beat. The second Godolphin horse CHASING TIME also won on debut on the all-weather, though his second effort was a little disappointing and will need to find improvement to win this one. Appleby’s yard is experiencing a disappointing season so far however, and TURTY TREE may well upset the party for the boys in blue. No wins from his first three career starts but does come here with course experience, where he finished runner-up.
Prediction: 1st SHABA AL AHLI 4/7F, 2nd TURTY TREE 9/2, 3rd CHASING TIME 6/1
Race 6: BetMGM Handicap 1m2f (16:37 – 3yo Class 4)
One of the two heading the market currently comes here with course experience, and ALPINE CULTURE will look to build on that fine third here, taking a step up in trip here may prove to be the winning ingredient. THE JOKER is a keen runner whose erratic style may have cost him the chance at a win in his career so far, that being said he has finished in the top three in three of his last five starts – if that energy can be controlled he could prove a worthy challenger here. ROYAL POETRY looks good value currently, winning well on the all weather on his penultimate start and followed that one up with a runner up finish on the turf at the start of the month.
Prediction: 1st ALPINE CULTURE 3/1JF, 2nd THE JOKER 9/2, 3rd ROYAL POETRY 9/1 – Most Overpriced: ROYAL POETRY 9/1
Race 7: Gamble Responsibly at BetMGM “Hands and Heels” Apprentice Handicap 7f (17:10 – 4yo+ Class 5)
The day rounds off with the eight-runner Class 5, with the strong favourite being WRYDCROFT, who is seeking a hattrick after making it four from five in handicap races when winning a big field race at Doncaster. Second in the market TEX should not be discounted though, who is yet to score but is a consistent runner who has not finished outside the top three in the last four starts. DASHING DONKEY enters the equation as an outsider, who has won twice on the July Course.
Prediction: 1st WYRDCROFT 11/10F, 2nd TEX 5/2, 3rd DASHING DONKEY 9/1 – Most Overpriced: DASHING DONKEY 9/1
*All odds correct as at 22:00pm 15/05/26