Newmarket, Wednesday 19th April
3:00 – Feilden Stakes (Listed Race)
This looks like being a race to follow and there are several completely unexposed types with impressive maiden winning form that could prove to be pattern class animals this season. We would rank those horses as Canberra Legend, followed by Kolsai and then Intinso.
All have shown some promise, but there are some more established types in this field who have course experience and have set a very high standard. Blanchard can be considered an unlucky loser behind Flying Honours in the Zetland Stakes here last October as he was caught on the inside and forced to switch away from the rail in the closing stages. However, having got on terms with the winner he had every chance but wasn’t able to sustain his effort out of the dip. He has probably reached his ceiling with a rating of 108 and there is another improver in the field who may well be a class above that level.
BOLD ACT has won his last 4 starts, including a handicap at this track back in September. He made an impressive return when getting the better of Bold Emperor in a Conditions race at Chelmsford 2-weeks ago. He raced in rear, on the inside of the field, which is not the place to be at Chelmsford, but still had the turn of foot to get himself out of trouble and hold on from a 101-rated rival who had won a Listed race at Cagnes-Sur-Mer in February.
In the context of this race that is a very strong piece of form and with a fitness edge over most of his rivals, he should be hard to beat off level weights.
5:20 – Price Promise at Bet365 Handicap
A competitive 3-year-old handicap to conclude the 2 nd day of the Craven meeting, with several 3-year-olds who have won maidens on the All- Weather over the winter.
They are all open to improvement, but there doesn’t look to be a standout candidate amongst that form from the tapeta so we will stick to the turf form to find the answer. Demilion will be popular as Frankie Dettori gets onboard, and he is race fit after a 2 nd placed finish at Doncaster a fortnight ago. He clearly handled the soft ground on that occasion and travelled nicely on the front end, but he was readily outpaced by the winner and could only keep on at the one pace. He is surely vulnerable to a turn of foot on that evidence.
High Honour is of obvious interest on his first start since being gelded and he was very unlucky when not getting a clear run on his final start at Chelmsford in November. He could be better than handicaps in time, but whether he can concede weight to so many unexposed rivals is open to question and instead we will stick with some solid course form with an each-way bet on SHAHBAZ.
Charlie Fellowes 3-year- old has been gelded over the winter and makes his return from a break on a workable mark of 88. He won a Nursery handicap here in October, displaying good battling qualities to come through runners after being squeezed for room at the start.
He powered up the hill in the closing stages and this son of Free Eagle is bred to relish this extra distance as a 3-year-old.
