ON an excellent day of top-class flat racing from Newmarket and the start of the jumps season kicking off at Chepstow, there is something for everyone and plenty of market movers, so without further ado, here are the best backed with Unibet:
NEWMARKET
1:50 – Platinum Star 11/8 from 15/8
Impressive when conceding 5lbs to the second (Lambeth Walk) in Ripon‘ s Two-Year-Old Trophy last time, Saeed bin Suroor’s charge is clearly going places and any give in the ground won’t hinder his credentials, neither will the step back down to the minimum trip. Partnered by Oisin Murphy, the son of Lope De Vega is well clear on official ratings and is the one they all have to catch.
3:00 – Shine So Bright 13/8 from 2/1
Twice a winner over this trip, Andrew Balding’s inmate beat the brilliant Lauren’s at York in August and was then caught on the wrong side of the track at Doncaster last time so that run can easily be ignored. With Silvestre de Sousa back in the plate today, punters have been keen on this colt who is closely related to dual Champion Stakes heroine Alborado.
3:35 – Powerful Breeze 5/1 from 7/1
Impressive in the G2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last month, Hugo Palmer’s rising star is two from two and looks a filly to keep on the right side of. 25/1 with Unibet for next year’s 1000 Guineas and 20/1 for the Oaks, those prices are likely to contract if successful today, and if the betting is to be believed, that could be highly likely!
4:10 – Trueshan 5/1 from 8/1
Alan King has a great record on the Rowley Mile and his flat horses are in flying form so it has to be significant the money has come for William Buick’s mount who made up plenty of ground when coming from an uncompromising position to finish second at Haydock last time. Very much unexposed, there is likely to be plenty more to come from this exciting three-year-old.
CHEPSTOW
2:10 Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle – Some Day Soon 9/1 from 14/1
A cracking renewal of the Unibet Persian War Novices’ Hurdle which has been won by some top-class thoroughbreds down the years including the likes of Monsignor, Silviniaco Conti and Blaklion to name just a few, so this year’s race is well worth keeping a close eye on. Some Day Soon has won his last four races and his Irish form already proves he handles soft ground so there should be no problem with today’s conditions. Undoubtedly this is a step up in grade but Jamie Snowden’s runner is on the upgrade and is likely to be sharper than most in the field.
2:45 – Proschema 11/8 from 15/8
Rated 105 when trained on the flat by Tom Dascombe, Proschema is an extremely exciting recruit to the jumping game and couldn’t be in better hands than with the Skeltons. The fact he stayed two miles on the level would suggest he’ll be better over further over obstacles but this stiff, galloping track will ensure stamina comes into play and there is every reason to suggest there will be plenty of Cheltenham Festival quotes being dished around if this exciting recruit does the business this afternoon.
5:00 – Stream Lady 11/2 from 15/2
A dual winner at 3m2f, David Pipe’s classy mare has a great attitude and can be forgiven her latest run after making a mistake at a crucial time before being pulled up by David Noonan, who retains the ride today. If it turns into a slog, which is highly likely, expect this mare to be doing all her best work come the finish.
