The pick of the prices at Newmarket & Goodwood....

Thursday, 4th May 2023

The pick of the prices at Newmarket & Goodwood….

The field sizes for the big handicaps on the Friday cards at Newmarket and Goodwood are – frankly – disappointing….

… but there’s no point moaning….

…. instead we must work with what we’ve got….

…. and I reckon ACCIDENTAL AGENT is worth a punt at the general 7s & 13/2 in the Nyetimber Handicap at Newmarket at 3.00….

The one-time shock winner of a G1 Queen Anne at Royal Ascot is a 9yo now – so no spring chicken….

…. but he put up some solid performances in defeat in some of the hottest 7f handicaps on the programme last term….

…. running against all the top boys in the division….

…. off official ratings as high as 112….

He starts this campaign off a mark of 104 – and I reckon that’s workable if the fire still burns after another winter in the pasture….

What I like about the set-up is the presence of 3lb claimer Georgia Dobie in the saddle….

She was in the plate on his first two appearance last term – the first of which produced a win at Newbury off tomorrow’s mark of 104….

…. and next time out the duo almost landed the pot in the Victoria Cup – finding just Vafortino just a half-length too good….

I reckon connections are looking to catch the opposition cold – and strike for the early-doors money again this time around....

The mark is right, the set-up has track record and Eve Johnson Houghton has found a few winners over the last fortnight….

…. and the horse is at the right track. He likes a straight track with a rising finish – and he’s won plenty of money at both the Newmarket tracks….

I reckon the old boy is worth a nibble….

• Over to Goodwood….

Reigning Profit is a rightful favourite for the William Hill Pick Your Places Handicap at Goodwood at 2.35….

…. he’s progressing at a rate of knots and he’s got every chance of going in again under a 5lb penalty….

But my job isn’t to simply act as an echo chamber for the market viewpoint….

My role is to dig one out that can get competitive at a fancier price….

…. and Roger Fell’s WHENTHEDEALINSDONE fits the bill at the general 8s….

He’s proven over track and trip….

…. he likes some cut underfoot – the going at Goodwood is currently good to soft with showers overnight and into tomorrow morning set to ensure that the turf contains some moisture….

…. and Benoit De La Sayette – who rides Goodwood well – takes off a useful 3lb….

The 5yo will need to do it first-time-up this term and you might make the case that he’ll need the run before being aimed at his ‘proper’ targets….

But I’m not so sure. Last season – and the season before – this horse didn’t hit his straps until the softer ground appeared in the second half of the season….

I can’t imagine he’ll be aimed at big races on quick midsummer ground, so I’m expecting him to be ready to roll in an early-season race tomorrow – before being aimed at something bigger later in the season….

There’s quite a bit of reading between the lines going on with this pick – but that’s how it is early doors and he’s a fair price all things considered….

• The last word….

That’s all for today….

I’ll be back tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me direct at nick.pullen@oxonpress.co.uk  

Stay tuned.

Against the Crowd