Richard Birch says there's no reason why Rodrigo Diaz cannot resume his progress

1.50 Newmarket
"My Oddsboost" On Betfair Suffolk Stakes (Heritage Handicap) | 3yo+ | 1m1f

The most intriguing contender of the six is undoubtedly the bottom-weight Rodrigo Diaz, who gained considerable confidence last summer with three consecutive all-weather wins.

He’s been put up 24lb for those triumphs, including 10lb for a three-quarters of a length win at Wolverhampton where Jamie Spencer was seen at his cheekiest; the handicapper would probably have done exactly the same if Rodrigo Diaz had been nudged out to score by four lengths.

Rodrigo Diaz gets into this useful handicap with just 8st 3lb to carry, and Silvestre de Sousa takes over as Spencer cannot do the weight.

If he’s straight enough first time out, it will be no surprise if Rodrigo Diaz resumes his considerable progress in receipt of a double-figure amount of weight from all five rivals. There seems no reason why he shouldn’t be equally as effective on turf as sand.

The presence of Sky Defender, Zabeel Champion and Grand Bazaar, who have each made the running in the past, should ensure a decent gallop for Rodrigo Diaz to pounce off.

Zabeel Champion bids for a three-timer this spring after landing Class 2 and 3 handicaps at Ripon under Ben Curtis.

His rating has been increased from 94 to 101 as a result, and it’s interesting to note that Godolphin’s lightly raced Global Storm, who finished sixth behind Zabeel Champion in a valuable July Meeting handicap last summer, reopposes on 18lb better terms.

Sky Defender arrives on the back of an excellent City And Suburban Handicap second to Victory Chime at Epsom.

Diaz faces 'different ball game' - Simcock

The switch to handicaps has seemingly been the making of Rodrigo Diaz, but the switch to turf and the undulations of the Rowley Mile has left trainer David Simcock wondering if he is mentally ready for this tough assignment.

David Simcock: 'he's a horse we like and is going to be a progressive this season'Credit: Edward Whitaker

In six career starts, the four-year-old has raced once on grass when well beaten at Windsor in June and faces a marked step up in grade to Class 2 company on his second attempt on this surface.

Simcock said: "We found him quite hard to get fit, but he seems in good order now. He progressed in bad races last year and what worries me most is whether he's street-wise enough for a race like this at Newmarket at this stage of his career.

"This is a totally different ball game, but he's a horse we like and is going to be a progressive this season whatever he does tomorrow."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Global Storm
You can't beat experience on the Rowley Mile and he has that in the bag already with two victories there. He's a fit horse from Dubai, the trip suits and he's going to be a big player.

Thady Gosden, joint trainer of Grand Bazaar
We feel this is his best trip and he's ready to start back. We are just hoping that the ground doesn't dry out too much for him.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager for Jaber Abdullah, owner of Zabeel Champion
I was very impressed with the way he had been winning at 1m2f and even more over 1m4f last time. He rolls about a bit, so Newmarket should suit him better than Ripon. He's a fine, strong horse who's going in the right direction.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

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