ROCKET WILL HIT MARC
Botti colt all set for lift off on sands of Newcastle
ROCKET WARRIOR (5.27) can blast home for the cash on a competitive all-weather card at Newcastle.
Rocket Warrior is stepping up the levels but he won well at Wolverhampton before following up at Chelmsford City. Marco Botti’s charge has been pushed up another five pounds but looks to have no quirks and he should go well again. FAIRBANKS (6.00) is a less convincing selection but the hope is that improvement is on the cards for the four-year-old.
Andrew Balding’s charge was a creditable sixth at Thirsk on heavy ground three weeks ago. However, there’s hope that faster conditions here on the Tapeta should suit so he’s worth an each-way bet under Oisin Murphy. Summer Jumps is the order of the day at Ludlow and Plumpton. Unsurprisingly, there are small fields in Shropshire, but, oddly, the contests are competitive if all stand their ground. TRAPISTA (2.53) is just the type to excel in these months for Jonjo O’Neill. The gelding has landed his last two outings at Hereford and Warwick in good style and the seven-pound hike may not be enough to stop his hat-trick bid. Sean Bowen is chasing the jockey’s title once again and he can extend his early lead aboard MUSIQUE DE FEE (4.03).
The gelding got his act together when making a winning handicap debut over course and distance so he can defy a four-pound hike on the likely fast conditions.
YALLA HABIBI (4.25) posted the best effort of his career when easily landing a handicap hurdle at Kempton recently.
The five-year-old has made good progress since joining Harriett Dicken and the longer trip is no issue with the talented Freddie Gordon in the saddle.
Nick Gifford’s NORTHERN POET (5.00) was a solid fifth when last seen at Cheltenham and this shorter trip should be better for a horse who scored three times last term.
There’s also jumping in Ireland at Killarney with ROYAL EAGLE (2.10) the pick of the Gordon Elliott pair in the Listed mares’ hurdle.
She wasn’t very good when returning at Punchestown but better ground will suit and this is an easier contest.
POWER UNDER ME (3.00) looks to have a strong chance in the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes at Leopardstown for the powerful Ger Lyons and Colin Keane.
Over in France, HENRY LONGFELLOW (3.30) can win the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp for Aidan O’Brien.