The Racing League’s fifth meeting takes place at Newcastle on Thursday night, and we at GG believe it’s a great chance to try and land the Placepot. Here are our selections in the first six races.
Leg 1: 5.45pm
Leg 1 Selections: (4) Churchella, (13) Far l’Amore
Sir Mark Prescott’s runners in staying handicaps are always well-found so Almudena does not make too much appeal, especially with a slight question mark over whether he goes as well on all-weather surfaces. Two selections against him are the in-form CHURCHELLA and unexposed FAR L’AMORE.
The former has won four times this calendar year, including last time out at York. Her first two victories came on the tapeta at Southwell over 2m though, and she has broadly been very consistent since then. She can contend again, though Far L’Amore is worth following too, having been a serious eyecatcher when fourth to Almudena at Sandown three weeks ago over 1m6f. With better luck in running here and with 2m looking set to suit on visual evidence, he is dangerously unexposed off this mark.
Leg 2: 6.15pm
Leg 2 Selections: (4) Fox Legacy
There are not usually such strong favourites in Racing League events, but FOX LEGACY looks as much of a banker as you will find at such a meeting. Off a mark of 77, he won by 12 lengths at Salisbury just last week, and running here ensures he races under a 6lb penalty rather than his revised mark. That means he is 10lb well-in, and he ran well enough on the all-weather at two to suggest he will follow up comfortably here.
Leg 3: 6.45pm
Leg 3 Selections: (8) Mattice
Whereas leg two is all about the favourite, the third race on the card is remarkably open, with four co-favourites at 17/2 at time of writing. There is plenty enough winning form to go on, but that is actually passed aside in favour of MATTICE, who could prove best treated by conditions.
Tim Easterby’s five-year-old has already run 35 times, but remarkably just twice on the all-weather. Yet both of those starts were over course and distance, and he recorded form of 24, the second being by a short head off a mark of 81, the latter being four starts back when losing by less than two lengths off 78. He is 6lb lower now because of a lack of form on turf, but a return to this surface could be the making of him in this open field.
Leg 4: 7.15pm
Leg 4 Selections: (12) Who’s Glen
The two three-year-olds are worth the primary focus here, though Kamboo has questions to answer despite the bookies pricing him up as favourite. On the other hand, WHO’S GLEN is notably well-bred, out of a Group 3-winning mare and by Gleneagles, so could have plenty of potential off an opening mark of 77. He is accustomed to all-weather racing, with all three of his starts so far on artificial surfaces, hitting the frame in all three without going too close to winning. This new trip of 1m4½f could unlock more too given the evidence so far.
Leg 5: 7.45pm
Leg 5 Selections: (7) Al Rufaa, (11) Glam Squad
It was only eight days ago that AL RUFAA bounced back to form when short-headed at Kempton over 1m. Overall, the seven-year-old’s all-weather profile promises he still has wins in him, as he remains 2lb below his last winning mark at Wolverhampton last November. He was also second off 88, 8lb higher, back in February at that course, so should prove well treated.
Storm Star and So Deuce are the two three-year-olds who have grabbed the early share of the market, but GLAM SQUAD looks just as progressive for Charlie Fellowes. A slow start to this season preceded a victory on just his second handicap start in impressive fashion at Yarmouth, which he followed up with another win at Wolves. He is up 10lb for those wins, but could easily have more to offer.
Leg 6: 8.15pm
Leg 6 Selections: (2) Prince Of Zenda
Preference to conclude the Placepot successfully is for PRINCE OF ZENDA. His form over course and distance stands out well above his profile, with numbers reading 122. He bruisingly made all in January, beating a runner-up who was seeking four wins in a row, with the two seconds arriving since May in 14 and 13-runner races. He gets to run here off 1lb lower than the second of those, and 54 days off the track should not affect him, and may have freshened him up nicely.
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