IN SUMMARY: Barwick competes off a new career-high mark as an 8yo but he won the Great Metropolitan Handicap at Epsom in good style on his debut for George Baker last month and, given his current mood, he can’t be ignored. However, Richard Hughes reported that CAPE DISCOVERY (2/1) was “only just fit” when he made a winning stable/handicap debut over 1m2f here a fortnight ago and, with that in mind, there is significant hope he can make further progress. Green Light made a winning seasonal debut in 2015 and is also considered but he may need slower ground to show his very best form.
1 Barwick – Well beaten in November Handicap on final start for Ian Williams but produced new career-best performance to win in good style for new stable at Epsom (1m4f, soft) last month; subsequent 5lb rise demands more but he’ll be fine on today’s ground and is evidently in excellent nick.
2 Nabhan – Held his own in Pattern company in Germany in 2014 and won a juvenile hurdle for current connections in March but it’s hard to gauge whether he retains enough ability in this sphere to get competitive off a BHA mark of 90 on his British Flat debut; others much safer.
3 Green Light – Another one who struggled in the November Handicap when last in action but his close third in first-time visor in Class 2 event at Doncaster (1m4f, good to soft) a few weeks earlier was very creditable; goes without headgear today and would make more appeal on slower ground but it’s worth noting he made a winning reappearance in 2015.
4 Victoria Pollard – Won Newbury maiden (1m2f, good to firm) on debut in April 2015 but hasn’t made the progress that might have been hoped for; didn’t run badly when second in small-field filles’ event at Brighton (1m2f, good to firm) last month and has cheekpieces back on here but needs to up her game.
5 Cape Discovery – Caused 50/1 shock in 1m AW maiden at Dundalk in September, his third start, and, having changed hands for 35,000gns, gained another big-priced win for new connections, over 1m2f (good) here a fortnight ago; could easily have more to offer over today’s trip and commands respect.
6 St Patrick’s Day – Won three times on the AW over the winter (1m-8.6f) but has performed poorly on last couple of outings (Fibresand/turf) and has huge amount to prove now upped markedly in trip.
7 Safira Menina – Gave very good account of herself when third on recent stable debut at Brighton (1m4f, good) but wasn’t in same form at Doncaster on Saturday and faces very tough assignment from 13lb out of the handicap here.
myracing Forecast Prices: 15/8 Cape Discovery, 11/4 Barwick, 4/1 Green Light, 11/2 Victoria Pollard, 16/1 Nabhan, St Patrick’s Day, Safira Menina