Sam King tipped a 2/1 winner at Bath last night and he returns with three selections for this tremendous Thursday.
We head to the all-weather for our first selection and Fiscal Policy looks decent value to get back to winning ways in the concluding Unibet More Extra Place Races Handicap at Kempton (8.45).
The Daniel and Claire Kubler-trained contender has certainly improved for a recent gelding operation and looked a touch unlucky not to follow up his five-furlong Chelmsford win when second at Thirsk (6f) last month. The unexposed four-year-old was short of room at a crucial stage and although convincingly beaten at the line, he almost certainly would have finished closer but for a clearer passage.
A record of two from six on the all-weather stands him in good stead and the return to Kempton also looks a positive for this previous course and distance scorer. There's plenty of pace on here up front and Richard Kingscote should be able to drop in from stall ten. A 2lb nudge up the weights for his recent Thirsk second will pose no issues and this gelded son of Profitable looks by far the most solid proposition here.
Selection: Fiscal Policy – General 3/1
Newbury hosts an interesting eight-race card and I'm quite positive on Eddie Temple in the Country & Town House Handicap (Div II) at 7.50.
Owen Burrows' colt has shaped far better than the bare result in the three outings to date and I wouldn't be surprised if an opening mark of 75 proved very lenient.
The son of Sioux Nation travelled kindly before fading into fifth over 1m ½ f in a Nottingham maiden three weeks ago and shaped as though the drop back to seven furlongs on his handicap debut would suit.
The fact he's gone off 7/2 and 9/4 on both outings this season suggests he's fairly well-regarded and although connections would probably have had higher aspirations than a Class 4 handicap, the 110,000gns purchase can begin to repay some of that investment by getting off the mark here.
Selection: Eddie Temple – General 9/4
The TPT Fire Handicap at Newbury (8.25) features two last-time-out winners and I'm surprised Graham doesn't head the market in his bid to follow up.
Richard Hannon's charge absolutely bolted up when strolling clear for a seven-and-a-half-length success over twelve furlongs at Salisbury 18 days ago and a 5lb rise in the weights may well not be enough to anchor him from going in again.
The runner-up that day has scored convincingly at Bath to give the form some substance and I'm hoping Dane O'Neill (who was onboard at Salisbury) opts to deploy similar front-running tactics this evening.
Dropping back to ten furlongs shouldn't prove problematic given the way he's likely to be ridden and in fact, his proven stamina could be vital in the closing stages.
Trainer Richard Hannon could have a good evening at Newbury tonight with a whole host of chances across the card but it's Graham who I'm most confident about in his attempt to defy a 5lb rise in the weights.
Selection: Graham – General 11/4
