Fine Form
New Zealand EP – 2.40
sets a standard that will be tough for his rivals to match in the Betfred Blue Riband Trial at Epsom.
While not among Aidan O’Brien’s clutch of elite juveniles last season, the Frankel colt did keep good company after shedding his maiden tag at the second attempt at the Curragh in mid-July, when he claimed the scalps of a couple of decent stablemates in Isaac Newton and Action.
He was not beaten far when fourth in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on his next start and was again not disgraced when rounding off his two-year-old campaign with a fifth place finish in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.
On both of those occasions he looked more than ready for this step up to 10 furlongs and if he runs to his official rating of 106 he should be hard to beat.
Roger Varian has his string in good early-season form and he will have high hopes for
Sallaal EP – 3.15
in the Lilley Plummer Risks City & Suburban Handicap.
The four-year-old won twice at Hamilton last term and was only three lengths behind the shock QEII winner Cicero’s Gift in a Listed event at Sandown.
He let favourite-backers down on his final outing of 2025 at Leopardstown, but he can be forgiven that below-par effort in extremely testing conditions and is worth sticking with as he returns to a faster surface on his seasonal bow down in class.
Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy can successfully combine with
Montague Menace EP – 4.23
in the Betfred “Nifty 50’’ Handicap.
While the son of Mehmas failed to get seriously involved in three juvenile outings, he looked an entirely different proposition on his reappearance and first start since being gelded when bolting up in a Lingfield maiden last month, landing strong market support in the process.
He moves into the handicap sphere off a revised mark of 81 and it would be no surprise if he was turn out to be much better than that in the fullness of time.
Lady Mariko YA – 4.28
has an obvious chance in the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Yarmouth.
Dylan Cunha’s youngster won over the course and distance last summer and while she is now 11lb higher in the weights, she did look an improved performer when impressing on her first start as a four-year-old at Kempton three weeks ago.
She clearly handles the track and fast ground and should prove hard to beat in her follow-up bid.
National Hunt fans will be looking forward to the start of the Punchestown Festival, with the William Hill Champion Chase taking centre stage on day one.
The Grade One feature throws up a fascinating clash between Queen Mother Champion Chase hero Il Etait Temps, his hugely talented but sketchy jumping stablemate Majborough and last year’s winner of this race
Marine Nationale PU – 6.05
It is difficult to back any of the trio with huge confidence, but having been unable to defend his Cheltenham title after suffering a minor setback, Marine Nationale does come here a little fresher than the other two and that coupled with the application of cheekpieces might give him the edge.
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