Guineas entrant can get off the mark at Newmarket

Newmarket

HISTORY WRITER (2.25) showed promise in his sole start as a two-year-old and is capable of getting off the mark.

David Menuisier’s colt was 20-1 for his Sandown debut in September and was left with work to do after a slow start, but he made steady late progress to come out best of the newcomers in third.

He still holds a 2,000 Guineas entry so has presumably been doing well at home.

The mile handicap looks open but MAFAAHEEM (4.10) is sure to be on the premises.

Roger Varian’s well-rated four-year-old raced four times last season, winning a 1m2f Nottingham maiden and finishing second on all four other outings. He ended his campaign with a decent second at Yarmouth in August and could have more to offer after a gelding operation.

Aidan O’Brien is sending two across for this first day of the Craven meeting and KEW GARDENS (4.45) looks his best chance of a winner.

The son of Galileo improved last season and ended his campaign with a three-and-a-half-length win in the Zetland Stakes at this track in October. That form is arguably the best on offer and his proven stamina for further could be key in what will be testing conditions.

Exeter

The 3m6½f handicap chase will be a real test, but this course and distance brought a personal best from the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained YANMARE (3.10) in December and he’ll be hard to beat if back to that level.

The eight-year-old made Jamie Bargary earn his fee that day as he came under pressure a long way out, but he responded well to catch You Say What on the run-in.

Two subsequent efforts haven’t been quite so good but a short break could easily spark him back to life.

CHOIX DES ARMES (3.45) has got better with each run over hurdles and made the breakthrough when moving into a handicap for the first time at Wincanton last week.

Paul Nicholls’ six-year-old proved a cut above his rivals there and connections are understandably keen to strike again before the handicapper has a chance to consider that improved display. He looked far enough ahead of his mark to defy a penalty.

Carlisle

ACHILL ROAD BOY (3.55) saw off Misfits in a similar heat last month and the outcome could be the same in the 3m2f handicap chase.

Stuart Coltherd’s nine-year-old had built up a 12-month losing streak after winning at Hexham in March 2017, but he enjoyed stepping up to this new trip, seeing off his nine rivals despite a bad mid-race blunder.

He remains feasibly treated despite going up 7lb for that success.

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