Good Evening/Morning to you all, Aintree is over and now the flat season is getting into full swing with a key Guineas trial this afternoon at Newbury. I speak of course about the Greenham which was won last year by Olympic Glory and in 2011 went the way of Frankel who both went on to better things. Kingman is the short priced favourite for this year but has by no means an easy task with other Guineas candidates in the line up. Elsewhere in the country there is racing at Bangor, Wolverhampton and Thirsk as well as Ayr who stage the Scottish National and Scottish Champion Hurdle this afternoon. There is one meeting over in Ireland his afternoon from Navan who stage a seven race flat card.
As always we have a preview video for today's action prepared for you in which we cover all the Channel 4 races as well as the other notable races of the day. Joining me on the panel are the usual suspects of @Adamwebb121 and @Calummadell, we hope you enjoy the video!
http://youtu.be/sU6IXzVrL0A
Now onto the selections!
1:50 Newbury - Mutashaded
Roger Varian saddles the lightly races Mutashaded for today's first runner after ending last season with a good third behind Hillstar at Royal Ascot. He was never closer than at the finish that day when staying on nicely behind Battle Of Marengo and the aforementioned Hillstar, but that was on Good to Firm. Yesterday the ground at Newbury wasn't quite soft but was certainly on the softer side of good which will suit the scopey individual of Mutashaded. Before his Ascot effort he was impressive at Sandown when showing a good turn of foot up the hill to beat Noble Bull and Theodore Gericault. The last point to make is that Newbury should play to his every strength unlike Ascot as it is a more galloping track, which would appear to be what he needs. As for the others in the field, Noble Mission is sure to give his running but finds winning hard to come by and the main danger could be from the improving Pether's Moon. (9/2)
2:55 Newbury - Night Of Thunder
This year's Greenham looks to revolve around the exciting prospect of Kingman who was one of the most impressive two year olds last season, however injury cut his season short. Until a couple of weeks ago, Night Of Thunder was the forgotten horse in the 2000 Guineas betting market but has since shortened despite the same yard having Toormore. Today's selection left a smile on the faces of many racegoers when winning very impressively by three lengths at Doncaster last season. The race is full of class and other than the obvious threat of Kingman there are other contenders looking to boost their Classic claims. Berkshire won the Chesham last year but it would seem that he will need further this year and the bigger danger could be the unexposed Lat Hawill. (4/1)
3:50 Ayr - Merry King
Merry King has been called just about every name under the sun in his time and not all of them were overly positive, but he is stamina laden which is crucial for today's race. Thanks to Tidal Bay he is officially two pounds out of the handicap today, but the five pound claim of Maurice Linehan negates that and takes off a further three. Linehan gets the ride as his usual pilots are unable to take the ride, firstly through AP McCoy who can't do the weight and secondly Richie McLernon who is sidelined. We last saw Merry King when pulled up at Haydock in the Grand National Trial, but that is best forgotten as nothing went right that day after being hampered early. Before that he has been third in the Peter Marsh after two staying on efforts in the Welsh National and the Hennessy behind Triolo D'alene. He is off his lowest mark since 2012 today with the rider's claim taken into account and an finally break his eight race losing streak. (20/1)
4:40 Newbury - Top Diktat
Gary Moore was out of luck yesterday at Newbury with Dutch Masterpiece but can gain small compensation here with Top Diktat who is on a hat-trick bid. Both of them wins have come at Kempton on the All Weather with the first one being in January, but he followed up in February off a seven pound higher mark. He is just four pounds higher than that effort today and with Ryan Moore on board has every chance to make it three wins from as many runs. The second and third from his last run have since franked the form by winning or placing in their efforts after the race and off higher marks as well. If he can translate his form onto the turf then Top Diktat could take some stopping today. (13/2)
NAP - Night Of Thunder
Nb - Mutashaded
Good luck today everyone and as always, Happy Punting
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