Saturday
The 2.21 at Newbury tomorrow is an interesting race as there are a couple of proven performers and then a few who have a bit on their plate. WITHHOLD is one of those who has no questions to answer and has certainly been there and got the t-shirt. Roger Charlton‘s grand old stayer has been a great servant but still has plenty of ability and is no back burner here. He has top weight to shoulder but it looks like he has been primed for the race much like he was last year. The only difference is that there doesn’t seem to be anything lurking down the bottom of the weights like there was last year. If he puts in a repeat performance I can see him taking this.
The Hackwood is a similar race in my eyes as there are a couple who should be shorter than what they are. ROHAAN and MINZAAL are both 7/1 at the time of writing and to me that is serious value. The former won the Wokingham for the second time last month and did so in the most impressive fashion. He is definitely a Group horse, I just hope they go quick enough for him here. If they don’t I’d like to think the easy travelling Minzaal could go close. Jim Crowley has always spoke highly of this horse but he hasn’t had much of a chance to show how good he could be due to numerous setbacks. He is better than what he shows at Ascot last time and I expect him to prove that here.
Up at Chester the 3.08 is a proper sprint handicap and they are going to go some clip I predict. This should suit the strong staying COUNT D’ORSAY who seems to be in fine form at present. He got stuck too far behind here a couple runs back but plugged on well and with a better draw which he has tomorrow I expect him to finish a lot closer.
Newbury 2.21 – Withhold
Newbury 2.56 – Minzaal / Rohaan
Chester 3.08 – Count D’orsay
