We started the day off with an average run from Nae Bother At A'.
He stayed the same odds, but travelled through the race like he might've had a chance of being in the places at the very least.
It didn't quite pan out that way after jumping three from home in a slow style; he was then on the backfoot and found little.
Big Zouk got the job done, after not looking likely for the large portion on the homestraight. He stayed on powerfully, and is a horse who looks desperate for 3m 6f or further. I can't see him winning many more races over 3m.
Matiwo 6/4 (1pt) – Newbury 1.35
Based on the form we know, it looked like this was a straight shootout between Matiwo and Apollon Forlonge. I've ended up going with Matiwo, as the top weight is carrying a 7lb penalty.
I think carrying a penalty for these juvenile hurdlers can be a very hard task, especially if racing against horses with potential. Matiwo ran well on debut to finish third behind Ammes.
That winner has since finished second in a Listed race, beaten by Minella Study, who has since won another race at Cheltenham and looks like a smart juvenile.
On Matiwo's next start, he was a faller, falling at the fifth flight in the race Minella Study won at Cheltenham. Based on that, we don't know how it would have panned out, so we're solely going off his debut run, which was solid.
Jane Williams has a very good gauge of how good the Apollon Forlonge form is, as she had a runner finish a couple of lengths ahead of him at Exeter. From that, she will know what chance her runner has against him today, and I think Matiwo is the one to beat.
The yard must think he is a good juvenile. He was entered into a Grade 2 (didn't run because he was “off colour”), and even to be entered into a Class 2 at Cheltenham shows that they believe in him.
C'Est Different 7/4 (1pt) – Newbury 2.40
This is going to be a tough task off 12st 1lbs for C'Est Different, but he was impressive last time out in a Pertemps qualifier at Market Rasen, and is the best form in this race.
The handicapper hasn't taken any chances and has put him up 12lbs for the eight-length victory. He is 12lbs heavier this time around instead of the 9lbs because Dylan Johnston is no longer claiming 3lbs which he had during the Market Rasen race.
He did win nicely at Market Rasen and was evidently well-ahead of the handicapper. If their goal is the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham in March, he'll need to be winning this race to go up enough in the handicap to ensure he gets a spot.
They could have easily picked a weaker race than this to cement the rise in the weights, so maybe they believe he is still ridiculously well handicapped.
The Market Rasen race was a 0-140, but was a 0-131 as the top-rated horse was 131. The fourth-placed horse has since won a Listed Mares race, beating Kateria, which is very good form. The third horse was second in a Class 2 Cheltenham handicap.
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