Take the BetGoodwin Spring Cup to the Max.
This looks an ideal race for GREAT MAX (3.15) to kick off his season in style at Newbury.
He was a high-class two-year-old when trained by Michael Bell but a switch to Irish trainer Michael O’Callaghan last season didn’t work out.
This will be his first run since returning to Newmarket to join in-form trainer Alice Haynes and he’s also been gelded over the winter months.
The soft ground is just what he wants and I’m convinced he is going to have a fruitful season. Have 2pts each-way at 14-1. Sky Bet is paying out on five places.
The Guineas trials head Newbury’s card with the fillies getting their chance to push their Classic claims in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes.
It’s full of unknown prospect with huge potential and the one that seems to have been ignored in the betting is EMBRACE (2.05).
She only made her debut on Kempton’s all-weather in November when showing promise in a good race behind Dancing Goddess.
The manner of her Wolverhampton win three weeks later was most impressive and she shouldn’t have any problem with the switch to turf. Have 1pt each-way at 18-1. Most bookies are paying four places, with Sky Bet going five.
Earlier on the card, ISRAR (1.30) looks worth backing against Hurricane Lane. He’s got a top pedigree and he progressed nicely through handicaps last year.
Soft ground is ideal and he should kick on in Group races this year. Have 2pts win at 8-1.
The Coral Scottish Grand National is the main event at Ayr.
Welsh trainer Rebecca Curtis caused a bit of a shock when winning this race five years ago and I reckon she could do it again.
Her RUTHLESS ARTICLE (3.35) has improved since stepping up to 3m2f and there’s every chance he will like this marathon 4m distance.
The ground is drying out nicely for him and he will appreciate this left-handed track after making his comeback from a nine-month break at Ascot last month. Have 1pt each-way at 40-1. Most bookies are paying out on six places, with Sky Bet stretching to seven.
