Newbury

1.45pm

Maid In India

We haven’t seen her since she beat only one home at Ayr in June but that clearly wasn’t her true form and the fact that she has been off since suggests there may have been a reason for that showing. But presumably all is well now and she had earlier posted a career-best when winning at Haydock on her return. She clearly needs to step forward again a fair amount in this company and could probably do with a bit of watering as well, but she clearly goes well when fresh.

2.20pm

Desert Encounter

This horse is a bit of a star and David has handled him brilliantly. He took a couple of runs to come to the boil this season – unsurprisingly for a 7yo – but he has posted top efforts to win Group 3s at Goodwood and Windsor, the latter under a penalty. He carries a 3lb penalty here too, but he goes well at this track – he won this race in 2017 and was only beaten a short head and ½-length into third last year – and he looks to hold a class edge on this field, going into the race at least. A small field doesn’t always play to his strengths though, as he does like a pace to aim at, but he is the one to beat all right.

3.30pm

Oasis Prince

I won on him at Yarmouth earlier in the season and he has run solid races off a 5lb higher mark since, including at that course last time He has been eased 1lb for it, which helps a bit, and conditions are in his favour, but he is vulnerable to better-handicapped horses at the moment. He has each-way claims if running his race, though.