NEWBURY

2.25pm

Asiaaf

With prize money down to sixth, she takes her chance. Clearly, she has a mountain to climb to even get into the first three after finishing third off a mark of 86 over 1m2f on her return and she may be better at that trip than 1m4f. But any black type will be very welcome for the filly, and that will be the premier objective.

3.00pm

River Alwen

He did it well for me at Newmarket last time, where he travelled into the race and found where it mattered. The problem is he has gone up 5lb for it and comes into this much tougher handicap – it usually takes a very well-handicapped to win this, but this may not be a vintage renewal – so he doesn’t have an easy task. But he is in form, he handles this easier ground and hopefully he can step forward again. This is only his sixth start, after all.

3.35pm

Bless Him

Palace Pier will clearly take a lot of stopping after what he did to us at Sandown last time, but we had to be delighted with our horse there. And, as we all know, a straight mile like this is what he wants. Unfortunately what he also wants is decent ground, and the forecast suggests that isn’t happening. But hopefully he can put up a good show and nick some prize money.

4.45pm

Repertoire

He ran well back on turf at Ascot last time, staying on well, and hopefully this well-related individual can step forward again on this easier ground. He is a 5yo with very few miles on the clock.