Steps has done most of his winning on soft ground and gets that today, so it’s little surprise to see him the 7/2 favourite for this five-furlong sprint after his handicap win at Doncaster last week.
Caspian Prince was a winner last time out at York, but a collateral form-line through Highland Acclaim suggests he has a few lengths to find with the favourite with no real reason to believe he’ll improve.
Justice Day’s form may be disguised by running in Group One company, but he won well last time out with Dutch Masterpiece and Musical Comedy behind and is another who will appreciate the conditions. There’s also plenty to like about his second to Nunthorpe winner Mecca’s Angel in this last year in similar conditions.
The filly Ridge Ranger was really well handicapped when bolting up at Goodwood on good to soft, but she did it in style and showed a lot of speed. The slow ground means each pound counts that much more and she can go close.
Another filly, Rathaath, won cosily under top-weight in a recent Ascot handicap and, aged just three, is open to more improvement. She’s the lowest rated of all at 95 so she will need to, but soft ground shouldn’t be a hinderance and she receives weight from the field so 20/1 looks worth a go.
1pt win Rathaath @20/1, Newbury 15:25
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