classic trials at Newbury

easily the best flat racing today comes from Newbury, where there are 3 group races on the card, two of them classic trials over the straight 7 furlongs. Trainer Richard Hannon and his stable Jockey, brother-in-law Richard Hughes, have a great record here; the stable won both classic trials at Newmarket earlier in the week and have a good chance of going so again here with Tiggy Wiggy in the fillies race at 15,15 CET and the colts race at 16.50 with Ivawood. Both were not only top 2yo´s last year but they also both have a similar profile in that they have never run beyond 6 furlongs, so that one has to take their stamina on trust. This is especially true of Tiggy Wiggy, who was rated the top juvenile filly in Europe last year, but her headstrong style of racing could be a problem over this trip. However she has so much in hand on official ratings that we think that she could manage it today - although we certainly could not fancy her for the Guineas. Jellicle Ball (John Gosden/ Ryan Moore) won her only start last year- over 7 furlongs on the all-weather- and could be the main danger, although we would not be surprised to see another Kempton 7 furlongs winner Redstart (Ralph Beckett/ Pat Dobbs), whose trainer does so well with fillies, run into the places. We are slightly less confident about Ivawood, as the Greenham - won in the past by such champions as Frankel and KIngman- looks a much stronger race. Belardo (Roger Varian/ James Doyle) won the Dewhurst last year, but might possibly prefer softer going, while Irish hope Dick Whittington (Aidan O´Brien/ Moore) obviously has to be respected.

The John Porter Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 14.445 also has stroing fiueld, including several runners with cöassic form. Romsdal (Gosden/ Doyle) has the best form, having finished third in the Derby and runner-up in the St. Leger, with Windshear (Hannon/ Hughes) fourth and German-bred Scotland (Andrew Balding/ Jim Crowley) last. Despite that, we expect Scotland to run much better today with the stable already doing well; he is one of two Monsuns in the race, the other being Arab Spring (Soir Michael Stoute/ Moore), who however may need the race. Hannon´s other runner Pethers Moon (Dobbs) has plenty of good form at this level, but has a 5 lbs penalty, which makes life difficult in this company.

The hottest trainer of all this season so far is Dermot Weld and we expect him to continue in winning form at the Irish meeting at Navan where he has 3 runners, all of whom could win; we especially like Summaya (ridden like the others by stable jockey Pat Smullen) in the listed race for 3yo fillies at 16.30.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mahsoob - Lunasea - Viewpoint
2. Race: Romsdal - Windshear - Arab Spring
3. Race: Jellicle Ball - Russian Punch - Royal Razalma
4. Race: Ivawood - Estidhkaar - Belardo
5. Race: Gabrial - Buckstay - Brownsea Brink
6. Race: Mr Singh - Murgan - Trademark
7. Race: Intilaaq - Keble - Ice Lord
8. Race: Wheat Sheaf - Sahaafy - Druids Ridge