3 minute read
Shining Blue can maintain his perfect record with a third career victory as he steps into handicap company for the first time at Newcastle.
His mark of 94 means trainer Saeed Bin Suroor has had to pitch him into a competitive renewal of the Jenningsbet Seaton Delaval Handicap, but the four-year-old is on a rapid upward trajectory.
Shining Blue did not make the track at two or three, but his debut this year took the eye as he came home a comfortable two-and-a-half-length maiden winner despite enjoying a less than perfect passage at Leicester.
A 7lb penalty failed to stop him in a Ripon novice event the next time, and while it did somewhat anchor him as he prevailed by just neck switching up to a mile, he did not look in love with the track.
He remains a horse of untapped potential and makes plenty of appeal in the hands of Danny Tudhope.
Lion Of War can defy a winner's penalty in the Pertemps Riverside Restricted Novice Stakes.
The colt grabbed the headlines when he became a first winner for his ill-fated sire Roaring Lion at Leicester earlier this month, triumphing by two and a quarter lengths despite showing his inexperience and hanging a bit in the finish.
A cheap purchase at just 7,000 guineas in the autumn, Lion Of War is related to Hawk Wing on his dam's side and could prove to be a very good buy indeed.
Ivan Furtado can top and tail the card with Lizzie Jean and Tickets.
Lizzie Jean tackles the Jenningsbet Handicap having opened her account at the third time of asking at Kempton.
She made virtually all for a three-and-a-half-length verdict and could still have a bit in hand as she drifted across the track and certainly did look all out in victory.
Tickets was similarly successful at Kempton on his most recent run and looks the pick in the closing Pertemps Network Handicap.
Deodar is likely to be a popular choice in the Feature Space Fraud Fighter Handicap at Newmarket.
Ralph Beckett's runner has won two of his three career outings, with defeat coming at the hands of Flaming Rib in a Doncaster Listed heat at the back of last season – form which reads very well in light of that runner's Commonwealth Cup performance last week.
Deodar was not overly impressive in winning on his return at Doncaster last month, but he clearly has plenty of ability.
Naval Power is the pick in the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes at Leicester after scoring at Yarmouth on his debut, while Amanzoe can make the long trip north to Hamilton pay dividends in the Captain JC Stewart Fillies' Handicap.
Aphelios is expected to take a hand in the finish of the Happy Birthday Donna Blore Handicap at Nottingham, with Benoit de la Sayette's 5lb claim negating his rise for a recent victory.
SELECTIONS:
HAMILTON: 6.00 The Resdev Way, 6.30 Lola's Moment, 7.00 Lord Of The Glen, 7.30 King Of Ice, 8.00 Amanzoe, 8.30 Boogie Time, 9.00 Liv Lucky.
LEICESTER: 5.15 Naval Power, 5.45 Thunder Flash, 6.15 Malcolm, 6.45 Nikki's Girl, 7.15 Burning Emotion, 7.45 Days Like This, 8.15 Maguro.
NEWCASTLE: 1.00 Lizzie Jean, 1.35 Arbour Lane, 2.10 Rocket Rod, 2.45 SHINING BLUE (NAP), 3.20 Silky Wilkie, 3.55 Lion Of War, 4.30 Tickets.
NEWMARKET: 1.25 Gareeb, 2.00 World Without Love, 2.35 Neptunian, 3.10 Sea Tsarina, 3.45 Deodar, 4.20 Roxzoff, 4.55 Calvinist.
NOTTINGHAM: 1.10 The Toff, 1.45 Aphelios, 2.20 Wonderful Times, 2.55 Border Edge, 3.30 Flaming Lord, 4.05 Stone Circle, 4.40 Diamond Cutter.