1m2f Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo)
AL AZD has an unusual profile for this excellent handicap. He raced twice last season before a gelding operation seemed to bring out improvement for the son of Dubawi. Three runner-up spots with performances fo a quirky nature preced two recent victories including a commanding first success on turf over 1m 4f. Blinkers have been applied on his last three starts which have made a huge difference to this colts performances and he is improving a rate of knots which suggest he could make a mockery of his mark of 92. The drop in trip is a slight concern but I can see him being fully effective between 1m 2f and 1m 4f trips.
SAHARA KING might appreciate the return to this galloping track and on just his fourth career start still retains plenty of interest. He has some interesting collateral form with Maltese Cross when a staying on fifth in a hot race at the course and put in a similar performance last time out at Newmarket when not having the run of the race. Although he is 1lb higher here a mark of 95 may yet underestimate him as he does not seem to have fully put it altogether yet. Today could be the day in what should be a well run race and he is worth a chance.
1pt win Al Azd @9/2, 1pt win Sahara King 5/1, 15:45 Newbury, Saturday
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