VAFORTINO (7.30) has a touch of class about him that can prove enough to win the 25% Boost On Darts Profits @unibet Handicap at Kempton.
Originally with Joseph O’Brien, the five-year-old was sent to the Kevin Philippart De Foy yard 12 months ago and after a pipe-opening first-time run on the all-weather at Newcastle, he won the Victoria Cup at Ascot by half a length ahead of Accidental Agent.
After a couple of indifferent finishes in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket, he then put in a career-best effort to win over a mile at Goodwood after a break in September.
He returns after 189 days off the track, but has proved he goes well when fresh.
NOVEL LEGEND (8.00) ended his three-year-old season with two fine efforts, winning at Chester in September over a mile and six furlongs, before finishing second in an 11-runner handicap over two miles at Newmarket.
An improving sort and a year older, he is another who makes his polytrack debut in the More Extra Place Races At Unibet Handicap. Despite a 152-day absence, he should run well for James Fanshawe.
Wednesday's selections
NEWCASTLE
1.15 PIPERS CROSS
1.50 BALLYBEG BOSS
2.25 CABOY
3.00 CASTLE RUSHEN
3.35 THOR DE CERISY
4.10 MISSCARLETT
4.45 ARTIC ROW
MARKET RASEN
1.25 ECLAIR D'AINAY
2.00 TEMPLIER
2.35 GRANDADS COTTAGE
3.10 GIFT OF RAAJ
3.45 JUBILEE EXPRESS
4.20 GENERAL HUBBLE
4.53 KATATE DORI
LINGFIELD
1.35 RISOTTO
2.10 SUZI'S CONNOISSEUR
2.45 LILKIAN
3.20 SWISS ACE
3.55 DASHO LENNIE
4.30 MISS SLIGO
5.00 SUNDAYINMAY
KEMPTON
5.30 DUTCH KINGDOM
6.00 STARLIGHT NATION
6.30 MCCAULEY'S TAVERN
7.00 LITTLE EDI
7.30 VAFORTINO (NAP)
8.00 NOVEL LEGEND (NB)
8.30 BEAUEN ARROWS
DOUBLE: VAFORTINO and NOVEL LEGEND
