Chaldean heads a cracking card at Newbury this Saturday but it's the one-mile three-year-old maiden staged at 3.50 where our first selection comes from.
William Haggas' well-bred debutant To Catch A Thief is greatly respected for notable connections, but Greatest Time could take some stopping. Richard Hannon 's runner showed bundles of promise when second on debut at the Rowley Mile last September and was subsequently put away for the winter. The son of No Nay Never looked to hold every chance going into the dip before being worried out of it late on and eventually being beaten by half a length. The form looks rock-solid with the winner going on to finish an excellent second in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket earlier in the week.
Selection: Greatest Time – 9/4 best price
Thirsk stages eight races in what looks like an interesting card and it's there we head for the second selection.
The Vickers. Bet Class Three Handicap (2.35) run over a mile-and-a-half has attracted eleven runners and it's Chillingham that's taken to come out on top. Ed Bethell and Callum Rodriquez have an impressive 37% (7-19) strike rate when teaming up and that record could be further enhanced here. The lightly-raced four-year-old looked good when making a winning handicap debut over course and distance on soft ground last season and a 6lb rise in the weights may well underestimate him.
Selection: Chillingham – 5/2 best price
On the same card, Slainte Mhath (4.50) looks worth siding with in her bid to follow up on a recent emphatic Redcar success. The Katie Scott team arrive in great form with three winners from eight runners (38%) over the last fortnight. Her five-year-old mare only needed to be pushed out under hands and heels riding to score by three-and-half lengths on soft ground at Redcar (6f) and she may be capable of defying top-weight.
Selection: Slainte Mhath – 13/2 best price
Nottingham and Brighton host evening action on the turf and our fourth and final selection comes from the Midlands venue. The Castle Rock Neil Kelso Handicap (6.30) run over the minimum trip see's six go to post with four last-time-out winners. Although a potentially tricky-looking affair on paper it's Just A Spark that gets the nod. Rod Millman's charge made it three from three over 5f when scoring by a neck at Southwell last month. The switch to turf for the first time shouldn't pose too many issues and he's taken to complete a four-timer for a yard enjoying a fine spell (4-10, 40% for the last 14 days).
Selection: Just A Spark – 4/1 best price
