Newcastle 2.05

 

Golden Rules is favourite based on a win at Kempton last time off a 2 year break and at 3/1 having just the second run in 2 years, I'm happy to oppose it. There are then some progressive types from big Yards with fancy pedigrees upped in trip and any of Adjuvant, who makes AW debut, Nathanial Green and Post Impressionist both from the Haggas yard that seems to have a lot of unexposed favourites in these big Saturday races who do get beaten and Omniscient from the Prescott yard, all rate as real dangers.I'm not compelled by weight of confidence to invest in any of those and will take them on and fall on my sword should they win.

 

The likes of Vino Vitrix, who runs Kempton well but who may not be that well handicapped, Calling The Wind who may be better on turf and definitely at Ascot and Rainbow Dreamer who despite being a 10 year old still retains some very solid form and enthusiasm are also real dangers and very much respected. At very big odds I would not rule out a big run from Good Show who is still unexposed and could improve for the step up from 14 furlongs but at the top end of the market I preferred THEMAXWECAN and BERKSHIRE ROCCO in that order for some shrapnel if you want to play to extended places.

 

THE MAXWECAN has had 2 sighters at this but is now a proven 2 mile winner and probably at the peak of its form and off a far more competitive mark of 92 than the bigger weights it has carried in two previous efforts in this race. BERKSHIRE ROCCO is a distance winner at 2 miles, and from a low draw could run up near the front and nick a place if there is trouble behind on a track where they tend to run 2x2 until fanning out in the Straight.

 

I'm most keen though and in preference order in ZOFFEE who won The Vase consolation race here last year and who has plenty of placed form already this season off this sort of mark in some very good 2 mile plus races, it's turn may be near again and the proven CD form a big plus. LAW OF THE SEA has also had 3 very good runs this season of this sort of mark and drawn in Stall 2 has an excellent e/w shout and finally is  RAJINSKY who ran a crediatbelt 4th in this last year, probably the horse in the race with the most proven stamina at further but also the speed to win at 2 miles and one who you'd prefer to be on IF it's not too tactical and they go at a decent pace all the way and with THEMAXWECAN in the race, I don't think it'll lack for end to end pace.

 

(1) Zoffee / (2) Law Of The Sea / (3) Rajinsky - if you want shrapnel (4) Themaxwecan / (5) Berkshire Rocco - reserve Good Show @ 28/1