IT’S WRITTEN IN THE STARS FOR ASTRAL
ASTRAL BEAU (1.20) is fancied to play it again 12 months after she hammered higher rated horses on the first day of the turf Flat season.
Pam Sly’s mud-loving mare rocks up in the William Hill Doncaster Mile which she won by four lengths from Brunch in 2023.
Today she once again has to tackle horses with superior ratings including Charyn – fourth in last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas – and Knight.
The 5lb mares allowance will help Astral Beau, who will love the ground and she has a perfect record first timehi out.
The William
Hill Brocklesby Stakes is the usual guess-up with Amo Racing’s Mystical Elegance a warm market leader.
Dart
I’m throwing a dart at ROYSDELIGHT (1.50) who cost €40,000 and whose trainer David Evans usually does well with his early juveniles.
HARSWELL DUKE (2.25) also won on the card last year and bids for a repeat victory in the William Hill Epic Boost Spring Mile.
His form tailed off after his win and as a result he is 8lb lower than 12 months ago and should run well.
Another mudlark is BARADAR (3.00) who enjoyed a strong campaign last season and is pitched into Listed company in the William Hill Cammidge Trophy.
He was a course and distance winner in September and the trip/ground look ideal for him to fend off the speedy Marshman.
Cards
The ITV4 cameras are also travelling to Newbury for a strong jumps cards and the likeable INTO THE PARK (2.10) can kick things off.
He has won his last two and is going the right way. EATON COLLINA (2.40, inset) is in rude health for Kerry Lee and although his rating has gone up, he looks capable of completing a hat-trick in the handicap chase.
The feature race can go to EL ELEFANTE (3.15), who has a touch of class and can take the Grade Two Betvictor Mares’ Novices Hurdle.
Conditions should suit Lucinda Russell’s exciting prospect and she is just preferred to Larchment Lass and Party Vibes.
PICKANUMBER (1.30) is a confident choice to score in the one ITV4 race at Bangor.