Andrew Balding: My thoughts on our 10 runners this weekend
The Betway ambassador previews his weekend runners, including seven at Newbury and two at Newmarket.
Runners at Newbury
Nietzsche’s Star (13:10) is one we like at home. He didn’t show a great deal first time out but showed a bit more on his second start. He’s fit and well and has the ability to run a decent race.
Jabbar (13:10) is making his debut. He’s a nice horse, but still a bit raw. He’ll make up into a nice horse in time, but he might just need this experience.
King’s Lynn (14:15) has had this as his objective for a while. We’ve been very happy with him at home and conditions look perfect for him.
Foxes Tales (14:50) has a penalty to carry, having won a Group 3 earlier last time. He’s got some older horses to take on, but he’s an improving horse with good form in the book. He should go very well.
Pivoine (15:25) ran well at York last time. The conditions look to be ideal for him and he’s a capable performer on his day. For all this is a very competitive race, he’ll have a chance.
Koy Koy (16:35) ran very well at Ascot on his second start. He’s improved plenty from his first run and should go very well.
Winterwatch (17:05) was disappointing last time, but he was very keen. If it learns to settle better, he looks a well handicapped horse. He could have every chance in this.
Runners at Newmarket
Cleonte (15:15) was disappointing at Ascot last time. Things just haven’t gone his way this season, but he’s got the ability, it’s just whether he still has the same enthusiasm.
Mercurius Power (16:25) won well at Epsom last time. He’s going the right way and has a very good amateur rider on his back.
Our sole runner in the Ayr Gold Cup
Fivethousandtoone (15:40) runs in the Ayr Gold Cup. It’s fair to say that he hasn’t hit the heights we thought he would have, but he ran well last time and is 5lb better off with the winner here. He also lost a shoe that day, which didn’t help.
He’s drawn around plenty of those who feature prominent in the betting and I think he goes there with good place prospects.
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