Best From The West - February 20

3 minute read

The highly promising Regal Commander appears well placed to continue his winning ways when due to contest the final event at Ascot on Saturday.

A revelation last time in the son of Nadeem continued to raise the bar, with his only two defeats coming at the hands of Silverstream and My Sister Lil.

Well supported in his return last start, Regal Commander failed to disappoint when simply too good for his rivals over 1100m.

Marked just marginally below his best he remains open to good improvement racing second up and is sure to relish the step up in trip.

The Wizard sticks aboard and this season is notably striking at 44 per cent with the Durrant stable and has run at POT of +37.1%.

With favourites the Durrant stable is striking at 43 per cent (+9.4% POT) and 28 per cent with last start winners.

The only query on Saturday appears the wide draw — just how far back will he get in the run?

Nonetheless that does appear to have been factored into his current price as if marked up on the bare form we have Regal Commander installed the odds-on favourite.

With decent speed engaged he should get the race run to suit and trust in the Wizard to work his magic.

With as much as $2.70 being offered about his chances we are more than happy to stick with the four-year-old — Load up!

The Listed Challenge Stakes sees a capacity field line up over the 1500m journey with the Nick Cox trained Spirit Bird presenting good value at her current each-way quote.

Only narrowly beaten first up, Spirit Bird is expected to show good improvement racing second up and appears very well placed at the weights.

Although possessing just the sole win to her name, she has placed in seven of 10 attempts and rates highly in this line up on best form.

Her efforts behind Man Booker, Perfect Reflection and Blackwood leave her with a fair bit up her sleeve and while drawn out she should roll forward and be in this for a long way.

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BET OF THE DAY (1): Race 8 #8 Regal Commander @ $2.50

BET OF THE DAY (2): Race 7 #13 Spirit Bird @ $8.00