DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING

FRIDAY OCTOBER 31

2.12 NEWMARKET

Spicy Marg sets a high bar with her excellent effort in the Cornwallis here last time out but, as she has yet to prove herself over six furlong and, these events often go in the opposition direction of the form book, a chance is taken on SPLISH SPLASH (best price 13-2) causing a bit of a surprise.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s filly may have been presented with a golden opportunity on paper at Haydock last time out but there was a certain degree of swagger about her performance that suggested it was more than just a regulation win.

Indeed, the time figure she posted back up that view, and she looks to be thriving just at the right time to tackle this sterner test.

Hailing from a stable who have enjoyed a standout season with their juveniles, the daughter of Wootton Bassett can go a long way to maintain the status quo.

SPLISH SPLASH – 1-point each-way@13-2 (four places)

2.20 WETHERBY

There is not getting away from the fact Ammes has looked good on his first two starts over hurdles but so too did THE BELLHOP (best price 11-2) on his sole start and at the prices, Gary & Josh Moore’s juvenile rates a sporting choice to keep the favourite honest at the very least.

No great shakes on the Flat, his attentions were turned to the winter game to see whether he could follow in the footsteps of many from his yard over the years and true to form, he looked a totally different proposition with eight flights of hurdles in his path at Fontwell on his debut.

Understandably, a little hesitant early on at the Sussex venue, the son of Belardo soon warmed to his task and once engaging top gear on the run down to the last, his powered clear on the run-in to leave his rivals in his wake.

Posting an above-average speed figure for a juvenile, he shapes like the type who will be well suited to even stronger run events further down the line and providing he can keep tabs on the market leader in the first mile of the contest, his stamina should come into play at the business end.

THE BELLHOP – 1-point each-way@11-2

3.05 UTTOXETER

An Informative race that always attracts a useful field and it looks a good starting point for JAX JUNIOR (best price 7-2) to show what he can do at the first time of asking over fences.

A smart novice last season, his highlight came in defeat when he finished a creditable third in the Sidney Banks Hurdle at Huntingdon but either side of that excellent effort, he was successful no fewer than three times.

On each occasion Lucy Wadham’s inmate set decent fractions from the front and one presumes that he will be asked to adopt a similar role in his new vocation.

Having the size and scope to become a potentially smart chaser, the son of Jack Hobbs is likely to be seen to best advantage over further than two miles as the season progresses but as he has shown in the past, he is not short of pace, and an aggressive ride from the front could see him difficult to overhaul if obtaining a good early rhythm.

JAX JUNIOR – 1-point win@7-2