Newbury 4.30

 

A meeting that usually seems to be run in heavy Conditions and I'm really looking for soft / heavy form, some Autumn form and I think middle to high here on the Straight Course is usually the best place in the mud.

 

Cliffs Of Capri is an Ascot specialist who has run well here but almost certainly better on firmer ground, Jacks Point is in my Tracker as one to follow but has no obvious form or preference for this type og Going; Milltown Star has won on Heavy in France, drops in Class but is hard to quantify and although a niggling danger one I eventually decided to leave alone today. Pretty Rebel may have a prime perch in stall 17 but although soft and heavy looks suitable Going I'm not sure of the overall form profile.

 

I was left with a shortlist of 4 and found it tough to decide.

 

Durlas will be a huge danger I think for Charles Hills and James Doyle, soft would be ideal not quite sure about heavy or tacky drying heavy though and but for a draw in Stall 1, which I see as a major negative (and hope I'm right) I would have been tipping Molls Memory who won this under similar conditions in 2019 and 2020.

 

I'll side with GIFTED RULER who I like a lot, drawn 12 for Tom Dascombe and Jane Elliott, looks ideal tactically best with cut and a drop in trip and slightly in grade so it really does tick every box for me. The other one I can't leave out is CARIBOU for Derek Coakley, a draw in 4 is a niggle but I see this one dropping in the funnel and working its way to the centre of the Course and with 2 wins out of 2 in heavy and from a Yard I associate with heavy ground form at the Course I'm confident of a big run.