0.75pt each-way Edward Lewis @14/1, 0.75pt each-way Eastern Impact @16/1, 17:00 Ascot, Saturday

Last year’s winner Outback Traveller sits near the top of the market at 8/1 and it would be pretty special if he could repeat his success, but that victory was on a softer surface and he looks vulnerable 4lbs higher than last year.

Projection has also been supported, with his price reflecting potential more than what has been achieved on track thus far given he remains relatively unexposed, so he is passed over at odds of 7/1.

EDWARD LEWIS has taken his form to a new level during his second season and since his switch to sprint-specialist trainer David O’Meara. He looks fairly versatile on ground, and was unlucky not to get closer in the Epsom Dash over 5f a few weeks ago. He came with a storming late run, but couldn’t get up to catch Caspian Prince, eventually beaten by a length in to fifth.

He looked like he remained competitive off that mark and he has only gone up 1lb. That run also suggested the step back up to 6f would suit, and this represents the first time at this trip for his new yard having held his form well over it last season.

Josh Doyle has built up a nice partnership with him and there could be more to come from this four-year-old.

In contrast, EASTERN IMPACT is fully exposed, but a regular in pattern-level races. He looks on a very handy mark of 104 on his best form dropping in to this handicap, and put in a fine run over 6f at Newmarket behind the talented Mr Lupton (officially rated 113) to prep him for this.

His best performance was arguably over course and distance when he picked up a Group 3 victory. That was his last win, and admittedly it was in October 2015, but he hit the frame in a number of decent races last season running well when rated >110, and he showed enough last time out to suggest he still retains ability at the age of six.

Eastern Impact also has a good record in big-field handicaps so he looks a nice each-way prospect at 16/1 for a man who has won this race before, Richard Fahey.

Both selections are drawn on the low side in stall seven and eight respectively. But there seems to be enough pace around there for the far side rail, and that is where most of the pace has been over the last two days of the meet.

0.75pt each-way Edward Lewis @14/1, 17:00 Ascot, Saturday (generally 1/4 odds, 1,2,3,4,5)
0.75pt each-way Eastern Impact @16/1, 17:00 Ascot, Saturday (generally 1/4 odds, 1,2,3,4,5)

 

Leave a comment

1 Comment

Send a Comment

Your email address will not be published.