The card is opened up by a Novice Stakes but I am going to jump straight to the Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes which proceeds. A race won by the likes of Group winners Aljazzi, Nazeef, and Lavender’s Blue in the last ten years, it can be a pointer towards a progressive pattern race filly or mare. This years race doesn’t look up to the highest standard and it maybe that Many Tears can continue her improvement. A winner of two of her three races on an all-weather surface, she also seems to have improved for the step up to a mile last time. Sold for 300,000gns at Tattersalls in December, she is likely to head to Australia later this year, but connections will be looking for some further black type and this looks a solid starting point for her. At 9/2 she looks to have a little more improvement in her than some of the others and has solid win and each-way chances. She can be backed accordingly for a small loss if only placed.

Recommended Bet:
Many Tears @ 9/2 – Generally 2PTS EACH-WAY (1/5th 1-2-3)

The Rosebery Handicap at 2:40 looks a good race with several unexposed types lining up including Old Harrovian, Intinso, and Cannon Rock. It is easy to see why Old Harrovian is favourite on the back of two wins in Novice events before a respectable run at Group 3 level where he was beaten under 10 lengths by Haskoy in the Aston Park Stakes. I am not sure I would want to be backing him at 3/1 or shorter for this though after such a long time off and with a first time tongue strap on. That said, I also wouldn’t want to be putting many off, as I think his current official rating undermines his ability and trainer Andrew Balding does have his yard in great form currently with 7 winners in the past fortnight. He would be the preferred option of the three already mentioned but the selection is actually going to be Old Peculiar each-way. The five-year-old has improved from a mark of 57 to 88 (31b) since switching to an all-weather surface and since blinkers have been applied the only horse that has beaten him is Penzance, who got first run on him at Lingfield in a race that I don’t think suited him (Youthful King – 3rd). It might well be that he runs into one or two here, but his price underestimates the ability he has shown this winter and he will be fully race fit.

Recommended Bet:
Old Peculiar @ 14/1 – Bet365 2PTS EACH-WAY (1/5th 1-2-3-4)

Spirit Mixer is an interesting one in the Queen’s Prize Handicap at 3:15 as he is 1lb lower than when second to Trueshan in the 2022 Northumberland Plate. For one reason or another, he has only managed thee further starts since then but connections must retain faith to hold on to him and he didn’t run too badly last time out when still last but one three furlongs from home. He is definitely a horse I will be keeping an eye one here. Although he will likely be hindered by a high draw, Duty Of Care looks the best play here with some solid form to his name. They should go a good enough tempo up front for him if dropped in, which is likely from stall 14. A dual course and distance winner, he was also second here in February off a 1lb higher mark and at a general price of 7/1 looks a good each-way play. There is no doubt Circuit Breaker could be the fly in the ointment here, but he does have it to prove. A lovely big sort, he is going to keep improving but 10/3 is short enough against some rivals that already boast better form.

Recommended Bet:
Duty Of Care @ 7/1 – Generally 1PT EACH-WAY (1/5th 1-2-3-4)

The Six Furlong Class 3 sprint that ends the card looks a decent contest. I am a big fan of Ferrous who won well at Wolverhampton last time, but both he and Azure Angel who head the market are drawn pretty wide. There was only a length between Ferrous and Knebworth at Wolverhampton last time and the latter has a much better draw here with an apprentice booked to to take the ride, so he is officially 7lb better off at the weights also. To top it off, trainer Richard Hughes has his yard in excellent form with 8 winners from his last 19 runners for a 48% strike rate. At around 4/1 he looks a better selection than his main market rivals.

Recommended bet:
Knebworth @ 4/1 – William Hill 2PTS WIN

I have little betting interest in the two conditions races. At 4/6, I don’t think Notable Speech is certain to make it 3-3 in the 4:25. The Godolphin colt readily accounted for Cuban Tiger last time out who found the stiffer test at Newcastle much more to his liking when taking the Listed Burradon Stakes last week, but he faces a strong opponent in Valvano who was very impressive in a Maiden at Nottingham. The Ralph Beckett horse might not be as streetwise and race fit as Charlie Appleby’s runner, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there was an upset.

Godolphin may also win the Fillies’ Conditions race with Devoted Queen, a half sister to Cannon Rock who also runs in the Rosebery, and Group 3 winner One Ruler. She was a very impressive winner of a Newmarket Maiden and it would be disappointing if she didn’t take another step forward. But like her stable companion 30 minutes later she is taking on rivals with far more experience at a higher level in Ahlain and Les Bleus. At 1/2 she isn’t a bet.

There is also an interesting contest over at Chelmsford, where Capulet takes on Cuban Tiger in the Woodford Reserve Cardinal Stakes. The latter has some solid group rom to his name but lacks a recent run. Cuban Tiger on the other hand ran just eight days ago and this comes soon enough in a race where he was asked for everything. It is a watch race for me but they look two good colts for the season ahead.

Good Luck Punting!!