DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY MARCH 20
4.07 NEWBURY
Wheresmemoneygone was bound to be a warm order given his upward trajectory, but the market looks to have him about right whereas KING CALIFET might have been underestimated on the evidence of his most recent display here in a much better race.
Emma Lavelle’s inmate is a very lightly raced for a seven-year-old, suggesting he has incurred plenty of setbacks, but his run at the Berkshire venue 20 days ago highlighted his ability when getting on to the track.
Although not having the requirements to go with Noble Park in the latter stages of what turned out to be a well-run affair, he did keep on encouragingly for fourth and considering that effort was his first post-wind surgery and following a 97-day break, his performance can probably be upgraded.
A winner of a bumper here back in 2024, he clearly likes the galloping nature of today’s track and with conditions to suit, the son of Califet can put up another bold show.
KING CALIFET – 1-point win@9-2
5.16 NEWBURY
Mister Coffey has the class to take this easily, but he’s never come across as one to rely on at a short price (0-19 over fences) so with that in mind, JEFFREY’S CROSS makes a perfectly viable alternative.
As we know, Dan Skelton has enjoyed a stellar season both numerically and quality, but he has also proved just as adept at training the odd hunter chase winner, Unexpected Party , Snipe and this fella being perfect examples.
The son of Flemensfirth added himself to the list when he scored readily at Southwell last time and on the evidence of that performance alone, he should account for Java Point again at the very least.
Other than one blob on his dance card, the 10-year-old has a profile to suggest he turns up pretty much every day of the week and on ground that he has always favoured in the past, he can serve it up to the favourite from the front.
JEFFREY’S CROSS – 1-point each-way@11-2
7.00 WOLVERHAMPTON
FIRST PRINCIPLE maintained his record of never being out of the first two on the all-weather when runner-up over today’s C&D last time out and he rates a strong choice to take advantage of a drop down in grade.
William Haggas’ gelding was having his first run for 108 days at the Dunstall venue a few weeks ago and, as a result, he was a little too keen for his own good in the early exchanges.
However, despite expending too much energy, he kept on well to fend off all but The Lost King and with the data suggesting he usurped his previous career high performance, he should take plenty of beating with the fizz taken out of his system.
FIRST PRINCIPLE – 1-point win@5-2
7.30 WOLVERHAMPTON
HIGH ON HOPE has yet to race as far as the trip he tackles today, but he threatens to stay and he is worth a small interest to find out.
In much the warmest race he has faced in his career here last time out, Michael Appleby’s inmate was dropped out towards the rear early with a view to coming home strongly and despite not managing to get to the main players at the business end, to only get beaten just over two lengths was an excellent effort under the circumstances.
Considering he was up against horses who have major aspirations for Lincoln glory, several of which were rated in the 100’s, this was some effort by the son of Sergei Prokofiev, and today’s exercise will just boil down to whether he stays the trip rather than him not being good enough.
HIGH ON HOPE – 1-point each-way@11-2 (four places)