NEZWAAH TAKES TO AYR
NEZWAAH can continue on an upward curve by making a victorious return to action in the Tennent’s British Stallion Studs EBF Rothesay Stakes at Ayr.
Roger Varian obviously thinks this Listed affair is the ideal jumping off point for his fouryear-old and it will be a surprise if she cannot pick up where she left off last year.
Nezwaah was rated just 73 in February 2016 after winning a Chelmsford maiden but she made relentless progress to end the year on a perch of 108.
A Listed victory at Newcastle last June proved the high point and inspired her connections to raise their sights to a Group Two event in Deauville last August but Nezwaah was ultimately found out in finishing last of five runners.
Dropped back to Listed company at Yarmouth she ran the smart So Mi Dar to a half a length and was probably unlucky to bump into a horse of that calibre. Varian rounded off the year with a shot at Grade One glory in Canada in October and while she finished seventh, Nezwaah was only beaten two lengths after breaking slowly and duly paying the price for trying to come from behind.
She’ll almost certainly improve for the run but is upwards of 3lb clear on the ratings so should still be good enough.
Royal Brave can bring up his hat-trick in the Guinness Handicap.
Rebecca Bastiman’s charge has gone up 8lb after winning twice at Musselburgh in recent weeks and although he was perhaps a touch fortunate last time out, he picked up nicely and it would be risky to ignore a horse who is in such good form.
Lastmanlastround should pay for the drinks with a win in the Follow Us On Facebook At Yarmouth Racecourse Handicap at the seaside venue.
Rae Guest’s runner had a mixed end to his initial campaign last year, winning at the fourth attempt at Thirsk in August before proving bitterly disappointing when last of 11 on his final start at Kempton the following month.
Gelded over the winter, he was well supported on his return at Brighton and paid back his followers with a cosy neck victory, although they obviously had to sweat a bit for their money.
In Ken’s Memory made a victorious debut for Michael Appleby at Brighton last week and can strike again while the iron is hot in the John Kemp 4 X 4 Centres Of Norwich Fillies’ Handicap.