We have some good racing on today, so fingers crossed the quality of racing can bring out some winners.
Even though the final selection in the thread is on the short side, the others are each-way prices, so I'm advising an each-way Lucky 15 for Saturday. Best of Luck!
Lightening Mann 14/1 EW (3pl) – Newbury 2.00
There is no doubt that Lightening Mann is progressive. The main question is whether this is a step too far for him. Evidently, I don't think it is.
This horse has won twice since the new year, and when he hasn't managed to win, he has been placed, so he is ultra consistent. He managed to win in battle-hardened style last time out at Newmarket, beating a solid field, including Merchant who has since romped home at York earlier this week.
The yard has had plenty of winners in the last fortnight, and Lightening Mann runs off bottom weight, so I'm expecting another good run.
English Oak 12/1 EW (4pl) – Newbury 4.20
It's a bit of a mystery as to why English Oak hasn't pushed on to bigger and better things since hosing up at Royal Ascot last year off a mark of 99. He has been tried in better graded races (Class 1 level), but you'd have expected him to at least win a Listed race, but he didn't even manage that, which must have been a shock to many after he ran away with the Buckingham Palace Stakes, winning by 3L.
He hasn't started this new season off very well either, so there is definitely questions to be answered by English Oak, but the handicapper has given him a chance to showcase his talents as he is running off a mark of 103. That mark is still higher than his last winning mark, but he won off 99 with ease, so this should not be a problem.
Ed Walker has been firing in winners at a solid rate since the turn of the new season, and they've decided to try him over a mile, which should be fine. If he can bounce back to form, he could trounce this field.
Sterling Knight 8/1 EW (3pl) – Newmarket 1.05
There is a strong possibility that Sterling Knight might find one or two of the younger horses being more progressive and being on lenient handicap marks, but if for whatever reason, they don't fire, I can definitely see Sterling Knight mopping this race up and winning.
He is on a handicap mark that makes it difficult for him to win, but he can definitely win off it. He won off 90 last year, so 88 is within reach, but there's little room for error. However, based on how he ran two weeks ago at this venue but over a mile, he looks to be a big player. He came there under Ryan Moore inside the final furlong with a proper chance, but his efforts weakened inside the final furlong, so with one furlong less to run this time, he is a dark horse for this.
Best Adventure 7/2 EW (3pl) – Newmarket 4.00
Shane Foley must be the retained jockey for Zhang Yuesheng in the UK and Ireland, as he has been over in England for a fair few rides this week, and he has had a great time in doing so, winning on a couple of juveniles for the Richard Hannon stable. He comes over for the one ride at Newmarket on Best Adventure, which is a 74 rated horse, so he must firmly believe this has a solid chance.
On pedigrees and the way he ran last time out, the step up in trip looks sure to suit. He got going far too late at Epsom, and he has stamina in abundance in his pedigree, so this looks to be the correct move.
This handicap mark is definitely on the low side, whether it's low enough to fend off some horses who are primed to be on low handicap marks like String Of Pearls, time will tell.
GambleAware