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Friday’s Horse Racing: Brighton, Newmarket and Newcastle

RACING PREVIEW – Friday May 23rd – BRIGHTON, NEWMARKET, NEWCASTLE

NEWMARKET

4:05 Re-Offer.com 1st June Breeze Up Handicap, Class 3, 7f

Plum Pudding (7/1) appeared to enjoy Kempton’s AW surface after struggling in the mud of Newbury’s Spring Cup. Disappointed subsequently form outside draw over 7½ furlongs at Chester. Handicap mark of 90 leaves little room for error, though Ryan Moore is an interesting jockey booking. John Scargill’s Big Noise (3/1) improved throughout last season with 3 wins and a second from 4 turf starts. Also runner-up on only AW outing. 7f appears to suit better than shorter, and must go close. Phluke (5/2) repeated his Warwick win of 12 months ago, earlier this month. A turning 7f suits admirably. His form is not at all progressive these days, but he will continue to pay his way when given a chance by the handicapper.

4:40 Buy Horses at Re-Offer.com Handicap, Class 3 1m 4f

Nick Henderson’s Punjabi (7/4), despite a long flat layoff had a more than satisfactory tune up in winning a grade 1 hurdle at Punchestown. 4lb higher than any previous flat winning mark, but must surely go close. Candle (9/1) from Henry Candy’s in-form yard, has a career high mark to defy. Evidently not straightforward, but useful when right and loves soft ground. Ollie George (9/1) ran a respectable race at Bath (under top weight) after a year off. Entitled to come on for this and should appreciate quicker ground.

BRIGHTON

2:30 Sky Bet Press Red To Bet Handicap, Class 5, 5f 213y

Hart of Gold (3/1) seem anchored off a 6lb higher mark at Salisbury, following his Catterick win last month. Needs to drop a few pounds in the handicap. Star Strider (6/1) has not had much luck in running recently and again did not enjoy the clearest of runs at Wolverhampton, but he has never been an easy horse to win with and it could be costly to keep making excuses for him. Monashee Prince (4/1) who had been struggling off slightly higher marks on the AW, did enough on return to turf (Warwick) to suggest he can pay his way. He is relatively unexposed for a sprinter and could enjoy a good summer. Disappointed in a Windsor claimer just over a week later.

3:05 Sky Bet Freephone Betting 08000 722 421 Handicap, Class 5, 5f 59y

Desperate Dan (7/1) was stopped in his run over a furlong out and couldn’t recover. He would have been in the shake-up with a clear run. Best One (4/1) won a Lingfield seller fro Clive Brittain at the end of March. He won well under a patient ride, quickening up when a gap appeared on the inner in the straight and coming nicely clear in a finish which saw them unusually strung out by this track’s standards. It was no surprise when he proved popular at auction. He was finally knocked down to Ron Harris for 11,600 guineas. His BHA rating of 67 should remain unchanged and he will surely be winning again before long.

NEWCASTLE

4:30 PriceWaterhouseCoopers Handicap, Class 5, 7f

Prince Kalamoun (9/4) didn’t see out the 9f trip as well as the winner at Musselburgh. Return to 7f may show him in a better light. Sylvia’s Grove (9/4) was 2nd of 11 in a Class 5 Warwick handicap over 7f. She seemed to handle this much quicker ground without a problem and turned in a fine effort. This was her first outing in seven months, and she does not need to improve much to be scoring at this level. Splash the Cash (7/1) appeared not to get home over 7f (soft) at Musselburgh in April. Respectable form on AW and faster ground so may go well.

5:05 Eagle Bar Diner Has Landed Handicap, Class 6, 1m 3y

The ex-Irish Kargan (7/1) chased home John Gosden’s Charm School, over 7f at Doncaster, shaping well for John Wainwright. Ed Dunlop’s Hasty Retreat (7/1) was hampered over 10f at Windsor n seasonal return. Run best ignored. Castlebury (11/2) was a close third in a 7f Warwick handicap, following a 4th in a 6f Thirsk maiden. However, didn’t look entirely resolute, requiring substantial driving to put his best foot forward at the business end. Rossini’s Dancer (9/2) was drawn widest of all over 7½f at Beverley. Pushed along three furlongs out, he picked-up ground inside the final quarter-mile and ran on nicely late on to claim second. He should win a race.

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