3.00pm Newmarket Tips & Betting Preview 01/05/2016

3.00pm Newmarket – longholes.com Rehab And Pre-Training Handicap Class Two – 6f

A better than average sprint handicap will be as difficult to call as always with luck in running the all important unknown, though we do have a good idea of who ought to be there or thereabouts granted the obligatory luck in running. Englishman (16/1 Each Way) ran a blinder for trainer Milton Bradley last time out when running on strongly to score at Windsor, and with a mere three pounds more on his back this afternoon he could well go mighty close once again. The ever strong Joe Fanning takes over from Franny Norton in the saddle today, and will keep the six-year-old on the straight and narrow, and any more overnight rain will simply enhance his chances, making him  a serious each way option in our book at a stupid price.

Teruntum Star (6/1) looks next on the list  for trainer Kevin Ryan, having scored over course and distance last time out under jockey Jamie Spencer.  Gelded since last season, he seemed to shoe the benefit of being a bit more focussed here, and he won with a bit in hand at the line, though we doubt connections had too much on with a starting price of 16/1. His price suggests they may have thought he needed the run which is encouraging for this afternoon, though he is one of those who wouldn’t mind a bit more rain before race time as he needs cut in the turf to be seen at his best. This race was the plan the moment he went past the line in front in mid April and with Ryan Moore in the saddle, the suggestion is that they think he will run a massive race.

Continuing down our short list, we have David Barron’s New Bidder (7/1), who was a valiant runner up at Doncaster when caught on the line to be beaten a short head at Roudee. He was sent off the 5/1 favourite that day so he may not have that much more to offer, but his stable are more than capable when it comes to sprinters especially, and we won’t be writing him off just yet, at least until we see the betting. A bit of cut in the ground could be needed to see him at his peak, though we also note he carries seven pounds more than his highest winning mark, and he may find this a little bit too much for him against some of these today.

Looking for those better handicapped, and Heaven’s Guest (25/1) could be a lot more interesting than his current form suggests. Trained by Richard Fahey, who is currently on a 22% strike rate and who took this contest last season with Eastern Impact, he stays a furlong further and has won off of ratings a couple of pounds higher, suggesting connections are not asking too much of him this afternoon. His Lincoln run at Doncaster can be ignored with the mile that day beyond him, while a weakening ninth on soft ground over seven furlongs here at Newmarket last time out may be why he drops back in trip again here, and although no good thing by any stretch of the imagination, he may well be one to consider for all you each way specialists.

Jockey Jim Crowley has been booked to ride Clear Spring (28/1) for John Spearing and he has bits and pieces of form that could see him get involved. His supports will have to take his fitness on trust as he hasn’t been seen since last October at Doncaster. He has won over this six furlong trip eight times from forty-eight races, and off of higher marks as well, but at the age of eight he doesn’t really fit the profile of previous winners and ought to be gong backwards.

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