Newsboy's nap, Betweenthesticks, is tipped to win the FBS Chartered Accountant Chaplins Club Handicap at Pontefract on Wednesday (4.15), aiming to repeat his victory in the same race last year.
Betweenthesticks in Form
The six-year-old, trained by Ruth Carr, has been consistent recently, finishing second and third in his last two starts over course and distance, both times behind Hover On The Wind. In the latest outing, he made good progress under regular rider James Sullivan to go second a furlong out but faded late, finishing one and a half lengths behind the winner.
The son of Captain Gerrard should appreciate the slightly faster ground on Wednesday and, having been dropped 1lb since his last run, is now back on his last winning mark.
Garden Oasis as Next Best
Earlier on the card, Garden Oasis (3.45, nb) is another contender hoping to win the same race for the second consecutive year. The 11-year-old, trained by course specialist Tim Easterby, could be coming into form at the right time for the RIU Hotels and Resorts Ladies Day Veterans' Handicap over a mile.
He was beaten only a head at Ripon by Farasi Lane last time, and a repeat of that effort should see him go close in the hands of regular rider David Allan. The gelded son of Excelebration stays this trip well and is 8lb lower than when he won this race last year.
Wednesday's Selections
Brighton: 2.30 Havana Jag, 3.00 Rovinia, 3.30 Sea Suite, 4.00 Buckland Belle, 4.30 Viking Glory, 5.00 Secret Handsheikh
Kempton: 5.20 Time And Effort, 5.50 Chymbula, 6.20 Ghost Raider, 6.50 Charlie's Cannon, 7.20 Dialstone, 7.50 Church Wedding, 8.20 Jumeirah Sands, 8.50 Desert Belle
Pontefract: 2.45 Sunny Orange, 3.15 Rock Steady Beat, 3.45 Garden Oasis (nb), 4.15 Betweenthesticks (nap), 4.45 The Good Biscuit, 5.15 Something
Yarmouth: 5.40 Luminous Warrior, 6.10 Minkaas, 6.40 Dowman, 7.10 Time Thief, 7.40 Highland Harvey, 8.10 Banana
Newsboy's double: Betweenthesticks and Garden Oasis.
