FRIDAY'S SELECTION'S 22nd May

NEWCASTLE 5.35 ... FELL PACK @ 10/1 Generally

I feel this will go to an improving sort as those to have ran look exposed and haven't really room to improve on what they have achieved so far.

Tender Moments from the Brian Smart stable has been the one to have been tried in decent company. She won her very 1st outing on heavy going and looks to have the better with Sudden Impulse for a 5.25 length victory over him on her last start of the season at Beverley.
That was ran on soft going, but ran 7 seconds slower than the race Fell Pack contested there in April and she also has the outside stall to contend with.

O.K. Fell Pack's race was ran on quicker ground, but John Quinn's gelding was started out late in racing as a 4Yr Old and tried over a range of trips in his 1st season with mostly big weights to carry.
This year he didn't really take to the jumping game and on his penultimate outing ran an encouraging race after held up behind Sirvino (1st of a hatrick of wins) which is working out really well.
Sirvino went on to beat Veiled Applause, (rated 82) another from this stable with others as high as 88 in behind.
Sirvino also accounted for Bourse in between those runs by 7.25 length in a Musselburgh H/cap where Bourse has ran his best races at the Scottish venues.
Fell Pack's last outing (which in all fairness was a shocking contest and he ran a disappointing race in the circumstances from a poor draw) he was staying on strongly at the finish over the last furlong.
The drop in trip here should be negated by the softer going which he handled well last season.
He runs off essentially off a platers mark here, and with only 5 runs on the flat has got a good chance to improve with a Stone less to carry than last time out.
It looks like he needs a true test at this trip, and at this track on this going he should get it and have a fighting chance for that elusive 1st win.

Fell Pack 1 point

plus 10 points

FULL RESULT>>


BRIGHTON 2.30 ... MAGICAL SPEEDFIT @ 13/2
George Margarson an underated trainer in my opinion who usually places his horses well, and this gelding has a liking for this course with 2 wins and a 2nd from 4 outings here, the last on his penultimate run in a Class4.
Back down into a grade lower he gets to carry top weight but the rival he beat, Wotashirtful (OR 81) franked the run as decent by finishing 2nd in a Class3 Epsom handicap last time out.
The 3rd Merlins Dancer also ran in that Epsom event (2.5 length behind) before himself finishing 1.5 in arrears his next Class4 start.
Has the fast going he excels on, all wins/places around this time of year, has his course where he has ran his best 2 races/wins, so all looks in place for a strong show.

Magical Speedfit 1 point

minus 1 point

FULL RESULT>>


NEWMARKET 5.15 ... SONNY PARKIN E/W @ 20/1
Usually needs a run hence the E/W suggested for this return for the season.
He normally runs well at Newmarket with all successes coming here (on the July course) and though not having had a race this season this course not so stiff.
Finished last Year taking on horses rated 15lb better than the ceiling for this, and back in his correct grade here with 33% of all starts won or placed, 12 of them all being at this venue.
Jockey claims a valuable 7lb to lessen the burden to essentially bottom weight.

Analysis Updated: 3.40 p.m...... Sonny Parkin 1/2 pt E/W

minus 1 point

FULL RESULT>>


Ones To Watch........

NEWMARKET 4.05 GIGANTICUS @ 7/1
Normally contests double figure field H/caps at a competitive level so interesting this is his 1st run in a single figure field.
Is racing off 10lb below his peak and twice a winner here at the trip off higher marks on the July course on gd/firm going.
Would have been a good E/W selection but now only 2 places with the 6 remaining runners so a watching brief?

NEWCASTLE 4.30 ... HE'S A HUMBUG @ 50/1 ???
Looks overpriced if seeing out this trip with 1st time visor.
Has worn other headgear in the past and won on soft, albeit over 5fl.
Did finish 7 length in front of Ballycroy Boy in a 7fl Southwell claimer getting 5lb so that one now 11lb better.
That was his only ever previous run at this trip and went down around 2.25 length with an 87 rated rival just in front. Was totally outclassed last time against 97 plus rated rivals in a Class2 York Handicap on soft going but is 11lb lower here in this Class5 so could improve a little on that as he handles a slow surface.

A place probably the best result but you may get a good price so check exchanges !!

NEWCASTLE 2.10 ... HAIR'S VITAL @ 14/1
Breeding suggests a soft surface should suit and drops from Class2 into a Class6 from his introductory outing and trainer has a 29% strike rate (2 from 7) with his 2 Yr Old runners here!