Racing fans get an unexpected bonus at Newbury on Saturday with the return to action of last year’s Eclipse winner Al Kazeem. Roger Charlton’s multiple Group 1 winner proved infertile at stud and he is back in Listed class here as a preparation for better things.
Charlton is never one to blow his own trumpet but you can be sure that he is happy with the horse to allow him to take his chance. I remember a horse called Radetzky returning to action at Royal Ascot for similar reasons and he bolted up at 25-1. There will be no such odds available about Al Kazeem and he ought to win this with the minimum of fuss.
Token Of Love should continue the terrific run of the William Haggas stable when she lines up in a very competitive fillies handicap at 2.05. She has always been well regarded at home but has taken her time to put it together on the track. She is up 6lbs for her latest win at Newmarket but she was very impressive that day and may just be one of those horses that keep improving.
There are plenty of dangers, notably Provenance of Sir Michael Stoute’s who was a disappointing favourite at Sandown last time out. She is fitted with the hood here and will be a huge threat if able to reproduce her debut effort at Kempton. Feedyah ran well at Royal Ascot but has top weight while Enraptured is yet to race this season for John Gosden.
The Weatherbys Super Sprint has been farmed by Richard Hannon Senior down the years with seven winners and Junior will be hoping to keep the tradition going tomorrow. He saddles several runners but it is hard to ignore top weight Tiggy Wiggy after her game effort at Ascot. She was narrowly beaten in the Queen Mary and it looked a high class renewal. There are plenty of dangers and it may be worth having a little each-way on Pillar Box after her easy Bath win.
Richard Fahey won this last year and saddles five in an attempt to follow up. Realtra looks the obvious one with bottom weight after finishing second in a Listed race in Ireland. She must have every chance of making the weight tell against Tiggy Wiggy and is feared most.
Token Of Love 2.05 Newbury at 4-1 Bet365
Al Kazeem 2.40 Newbury at 9-4 Ladbrokes
Tiggy Wiggy 3.50 Newbury at 5-1 BetVictor
Pillar Box 3.50 Newbury (each-way) at 14-1 Paddy Power
