Newbury 5.05

Newbury 5.05 4 Balmoral Castle @ 25/1 (WH/B365/PP) / 5 Grapevine @ 11/1 (generally) - 1/2 point e/w each horse

A competitive handicap over 10 Furlongs with a number of unexposed 3 year olds; any of whom may
improve for the step up in trip. I always look for Course form though at Newbury, it is an unforgiving pear shaped track
with a top turn a bit like a mini straight and then a long and flat home straight. It suits proven stayers and unless there
is something very well handicapped and progressive amongst the younger horses, three old-timers stand out off their

marks here. BALMORAL CASTLE and GRAPEVINE are the picks and the one I left off the shortlist is Fire Tree.

 

BALMORAL CASTLE has CD form, enjoys the trip and looks to have a fair chance of out-running very generous odds
dropped in Class here. It could be the horse is now "over the top" but he has had only about 5 runs all season and Trainer
Jonathon Portman is astute at placing fresh horses late in the campaign, and has had a few nice placed horses in recent
weeks; the indications are that this could be its best chance all season. GRAPEVINE is something of a "bridle horse" who
travels well but finds little; he has to be produced at the right time but also has good form and credentials and could get
a very nice tow in to the final furlong by some of the younger horses who then fade. I left out Fire Tree who is not as well
in with BC from a race in July and I always think Fire Tree is better at a mile than this extended trip. Speculative tips
but both are confidently expected to out run their odds.