Fine Form
Mahboob NM – 4.45
brings a touch of potential star quality to the Sky Bet Match5 Handicap on a competitive card at Newmarket.
The four-year-old was gelded before he even saw a racecourse, which was as recently as December, where he won at Lingfield, showing a nice attitude in the process to hold off Verbier, who showed the form in a good light when fourth in a Listed race on her next start.
Put away until last month, again at Lingfield, Mahboob made it two from two.
Sent off at 1-3, he did give his backers a bit of a scare as he did not come round the bend very well, although once he was back on an even keel just a couple of reminders from Jim Crowley saw him win easily in the end.
He looks to have loads more to come and John and Thady Gosden obviously think
his opening mark of 91 is something to work with before he moves up the ranks, if all goes well.
One-time St Leger runner-up
Berkshire Rocco NM – 4.15
can give a good account in the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap.
The seven-year-old showed he was no back-number when fifth in the Ebor last year and will be sharper for his return here at the start of this month, having not run since September.
A slight ease in the weights has allowed Andrew Balding’s charge to drop in class for this 0-95 handicap and while he has to shoulder top-weight, he is the class act in the field.
The Tom Ward-trained
Woodhay Wonder NM – 5.45
looks to extend her winning streak to four in the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap.
The daughter of Tamayuz is four from six overall, with back-to-back wins in lucrative sales races at Newmarket last season contributing to total earnings of over £177,000.
Woodhay Wonder picked up where she left off when making a successful reappearance and handicap debut here a month ago and a 5lb rise does not look insurmountable for a filly who clearly relishes six furlongs on the Rowley
Mile.
Night In Paris RI – 2.15
looked certain to win races when just denied on her debut and should do just that on her return to Ripon for the Hammond Associates Celebrating Yorkshire Wooden Spoon EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes.
George Boughey’s No Nay Never filly was denied by a short head on her introduction at the North Yorkshire circuit three weeks ago and a step up from five to six furlongs looks a good move.
Sea Regal RI – 2.45
sets an exacting standard in the On-Course Bookmakers Welcome You To Ripon Maiden Fillies’ Stakes for William Haggas.
The daughter of Sea The Stars finished third, beaten only a length and a half, behind subsequent 1000 Guineas heroine Elmalka on her sole start to date over seven furlongs at Southwell in November.
A leap to a mile and a quarter on her second start should suit on breeding and she will surely prove very hard to beat.
Deerstalker ST – 3.05
is rated the best bet over the jumps at Stratford. Ben Pauling’s charge was denied by a head at this venue four weeks ago, a big improvement on his previous form, and he looks sure to go well again despite a 5lb hike.
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