listed race at Newbury

3 flat meetings this afternoon in England and the best sport is on offer at Newbury, where they stage no fewer than 9 races (including the opening Arab race). Main feature is the listed event for 3yo fillies over 5 furlongs at 16.45 CET. 13 fillies line up here and, judging by the company they keep, the two of interest are Hooray (Sir Mark Prescott/ Seb Sanders), third in the Group Two Cherry Hinton last time, and Sweet Cecily (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), 5th in a Ascot Group Three. However both those races were over 6 furlongs, and over the minimum trip they may not be able to cope with the very speedy Marlinka (Roger Charlton/ Steve Drowne), who has already won 3 times and last time out scored in a similar event at Vichy. Another good race here is the handicap over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 16.10, in which 7 of the 12 runners are last-time-out winners, including Fantino (J. Mackie/ David Probert); who won over CD last time, and Yemeni Princess (Brendan Powell/ Russell Kenne more), both going for a hat-trick. In a very open event we go for lightly-raced Mountain Hike (Jeremy Noseda/ Darryll Holland), but there are plenty of dangers.
The 7 furlongs handicap at 16.55 at Newcastle is another very open affair. Top-weight Ancient Cross (Mick Easterby/ Phillip Makin) is super-consistent, having finished in the money in 16 of his last 17 starts, but the handicapper keeps putting him up as a result. We prefer Rosko (Brian Ellison/ Dale Swift) and Game Lad (Tim Easterby/ David Allan), both runners-up over this CD last time. Mick Easterby may have better prospects with Lake Chini, partnered by the good claimer James Sullivan, in the 6 furlongs handicap at 18.05.
At Nottingham, Sparkling Smile (David Lanigan/ Ted Durcan) goes for a five-timer in the fillies handicap at 17.05. However she is now rated very highly and may not be able to give the weight to the equally in form Snoqualmie Girl (David Elsworth/ Richard Kingscote) and Sea of Galilee (Henry Candy( Dane O´Neill).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Buckland - Saamidd - Yair Hill
2. Race: General Synod - Colebrooke - Treasury Devil
3. Race: Lang Shining - Grande Caiman - Foxhaven
4. Race: Goodwood Starlight - Incendo - Mountain Hiker
5. Race: Hooray - Sweet Cecily - Excello
6. Race: Desert Poppy - Flouncing - Valencha
7. Race: Dark Promise - Red Intrigue - Piano
8. Race: Cape Quarter - Miss Bounty - Young Dottie