Newbury Saturday Preview 13/04/19

William Haggas’ YOUNG RASCAL was probably thrown into the deep end too soon in last season’s Epsom Derby and we still firmly believe this 4-y-o colt is still a potential Group1 horse.

The main danger in the race is quite obviously last year’s winner Defoe, but at the prices our selection offers the most value being the least exposed.

Marmelo may prove popular with e/w backers having finished behind Cross Counter in the Melbourne Cup, but a slog over further than this would be more his cup of tea.

DANCING VEGA was put up as one of our horses to follow for the flat season and we fancy her to add to her trainers’ fantastic record in the race despite the unfavourable draw.

Connections unleashed some smart 2-y-o’s last season and this Lope De Vega filly is seemingly the pick of the bunch, smashing a subsequent listed winner by 4lengths on racecourse debut.

Ideally you would want to be betting e/w in this race but it is hard to look past the joint-favourite.

This year’s Greenham has an open look to it due to the omission of Guineas bound Too Darn Hot and we have an e/w poke in the shape of Urban Icon.

This Richard Hannon trained three year old is currently unbeaten winning both of his starts to date and being very unexposed over six furlongs.

The step up to seven furlongs looks like it will suit and although this will be his toughest test to date he is a very progressive horse and has had some market support.

Traditionally a tricky handicap, Exec Chief heads the market in this year’s Spring Cup but it is RED STARLIGHT & CHATEZ that catch our eye.

The former ran a cracker behind Lockinge Stakes entry Sharja Bridge last time out and doesn’t face anything of that ilk here. Conditions were different that day but this filly is as versatile as they come.

At double the odds, Alan King’s Chatez looks way overpriced. His form figures at the track read 1,2 and the in-form trainer was confident of a big run before pulling him out of the Lincoln. Buick booked.

Andrew Balding’s Dante entry RAISE YOU went into many a tracker when staying on over shorter than this on debut and should progress for both the experience and step up in trip.

Plenty of expensive purchases to watch out for though, with Roger Varian’s Kingman colt ROSEMAN rising from 180,000gns to a €650,000 yearling.

However, our selections debut back in September was a huge eye opener and running at the track before may play into his strengths.

The Queen holds two fascinating entries in the penultimate race of the day but with experience often proving crucial in these races we are siding with John Gosden’s PIANISSIMO.

He was all the rage in the market on debut finding one to good and is certain to come on for that outing. The yard have also won this race four of the last five years.

The last race of the day sees a sharp Class 3 Handicap contested between many smart runners and we have gone for another John Gosden charge this time wearing the infamous Qatar Racing colours.

MILITARY LAW would be the highest rated winner of this race for some time and he has a tough task off top-weight, but there isn’t any obvious e/w plays against him; making the forecasted 3/1 look appealing.