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Newbury is one of five meetings across the UK on Tuesday and the evening card features a competitive pair of fillies’ novice stakes.
In the 6f Class 4 Compton Beauchamp Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (6:05), Richard Hannon's Delicacy looked a promising prospect when finishing fifth over six furlongs on the all-weather at Kempton Park. Out of a full-sister to multiple Group winner Tax Free, the Saxon Warrior filly raced prominently and made some headway in the closing two furlongs before weakening to finish two-and-a-quarter lengths behind the winner.
Crooked Crown has the benefit of racecourse experience and broke through for a comfortable victory over five furlongs at Chepstow on her third career start. She was allowed to dictate the pace and never looked in trouble despite racing greenly in the closing stages when left out in front. The only question mark would be a return to six furlongs.
Debut winner Pink Satin faces four rivals in the 7f Class 4 kcsofas.co.uk EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (6:40). She raced at Windsor in mid-June when the stalls were not used, and sat midfield before making up ground in the closing stages to score by one-and-a-half lengths ahead of a short-priced favourite. Andrew Balding's Lady Of Leisure finished a solid second at Haydock on debut and the form has since been given a boost with the third-placed horse Queen's Reign winning a Newmarket maiden in fine style.
Lucky's Dream appeals as a possible value bet in the 1m3f Class 5 soccersofas.com Apprentice Handicap (5:30). Although he's probably not the force of old (three-time winner in 2021), he returned after a 627-day break and wind surgery at Salisbury for new trainer Ben Brookhouse and finished two-and-a-quarter lengths behind the winner in third (of four) with first-time tongue tie. He's entitled to improve for the run.
Charlie Hills' Vaynor dropped in class when placing third in a Class 4 handicap over 1m6f at Goodwood and faces similar competition in the 1m4f Class 4 Donnington Grove Vets Handicap (7:15). A twice-winner on the all-weather in October and November, he tries 1m3f for the first time and could be an interesting prospect.
In the 7f Class 5 Custom Made Chairs By KC Sofas Handicap (7:50), Al Shaqab Racing's Ajjaj is expected to be in the mix. Winner of a seven furlong Kempton Park maiden on seasonal reappearance, he has put up credible efforts in two handicap starts since and likes these conditions. The owners also have Al Motasim in the 7f Class 5 Maurice Adams Memorial Handicap (8:25), who could benefit from first-time cheekpieces. He finished a good second on seasonal reappearance in his first start since a gelding operation and ran too poorly to be true when fifth at Goodwood subsequently, with jockey Harry Davies reporting the three-year-old was never travelling.
Rich Rhythm can maintain his consistent profile in the 6f Class 5 BetVictor Handicap (9:00). He drops in distance following a fourth over seven furlongs at Kempton Park on the all-weather and jockey Hector Crouch is in good order with a 23% strike rate from the last fourteen days (7-31).
RACE 1 – LUCKY'S DREAM
RACE 2 – DELICACY
RACE 3 – PINK SATIN
RACE 4 – VAYNOR
RACE 5 - AJJAJ
RACE 6 – AL MOTASIM
RACE 7 – RICH RHYTHM