3:50 Qatar Racing Handicap
Piscean is in great form at the moment and is well drawn to go well here for Tommy Keddy
There’s nothing that instantly appeals in the first two races but i’m going to have a stab at the 6f handicap. The low draws mopped up over this distance on the saturday with the highest draw of the first three in both instances being nothing lower than 6. Thus I will concentrate on these numbers first and luckily the horse I fancied anyway is drawn 4 and that’s PISCEAN. Many know I really like this horse and he’s been in great form on the a/w. He is a hold up performer that needs a lot to fall right but is running really well at the moment. My worry is the ground may be a little too soft but if he does handles it then he should make a bold bid with a very interesting jockey booking too in Mickael Barzalona. Seal Rock will go close to being favourite while Mirza who he beat last time at Pontefract also is fancied. The former is drawn nicely but that race fell apart completely as little got into it, the necessity being drawn low and being up with the pace. One that was exactly the opposite in that was SHROPSHIRE who finished closest of the horses held up. He started the season in great style and has always promised to be very smart. Matthew Lawson takes off a good 5lb and the ground should be fine.I really liked Alben Star but the draw is a big negative while Richard Fahey may also go close with Irish Heartbeat who has won fresh before and is on a good mark. Colonel Mak has had his win while Dungannon is an each way possibility. Henry Candy always has to be respected and The Confessor is well drawn so he may come into it. It will be tough for Maarek off that mark from that draw while Doc Hay, Escape To Glory and Parisian Pyramid are also drawn high but have the form to win. Cheveton will relish these conditions but he always comes into his own later in the year.
Advice – Piscean 1pt e/w @28/1 generally
Shropshire 1.5pts e/w @22/1 Coral & Bet365
5:35 Al Rayan Handicap
A good handicap to end the meeting with. Mickael Barzalona was at his best on Samba King last time out and he should go well with conditions likely to suit once again. Dettori instead rides Gold Rally who was well beaten on his last start, albeit in a good race and has it prove now. Deia Sunrise has been given a lenient mark, as too Open Water who was 2nd to the unbeaten Main Sequence on his final 2yo start and should love the step up to 1m2f. He should go really well if handling the softer surface but one who has shown he has already is SPARKLING PORTRAIT who is up 7lb after a good win at Beverley last time. Trainer Richard Fahey feels there is much more to come from this one and a bold bid is likely. The rest all have chances though and it will be a tough race to win so a small stake is advised only.
Advice – Sparkling Portrait 2pts win @7/1 generally
Salisbury
4:45 Betfred Mobile Casino Handicap
I’m going to take another punt on a bit of a cliff horse of mine, SHAMROCKED. Mick Channon does well at this fixture, having a big double last year with Chilworth Lad and Momkinzain and this horse has been poor lately over a mile. He won a maiden over 7f here in great style though, suggesting he was much better than his mark of 80. He has the ground to prove too and he now tries 6f but he is worth a small e/w. I’m convinced this horse is good and I will keep backing him until he proves it probably
Advice – Shamrocked 1pt e/w @16/1 Paddy Power
