Flat Racing - Wed 13th April

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Great to see Newmarket back today...

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Re: Flat Racing - Wed 13th April 1.50 Newmarket A three year old maiden for colts and geldings kicks off the card and the first thing to note is the admirable record of Barry Hills in the race as he has taken this in 2005, 2007 and 2009 with Paper Talk, Snaafy and Infiraad respectively. He saddles up COMMENDED here, a half brother to 7f/1m winner Perfect Star. He ran well here in October at the back end of last season, staying on over an inadequate 6f, so looks set to relish the extra furlong - as his breeding suggests. 3/1 with VC Bet. 2.20 Newmarket Richard Hannon has farmed this race in recent years with victories for Cornus (2004), Cool Creek (2005), Gilded (2006), Monsieur Chevalier (2009) and Retainer last year. The last named won first time out which offers hope for his Tell Dad here, although Hannon's outstanding record in the race already seems to have been factored into the price of the 6/4 shot today and perhaps from a value perspective, JACK WHO'S HE looks the one to be on. Not unusually for the trainer, he holds some high profile entries - including the Weatherby's Super Sprint at Newbury later in the season - but he left a favourable impression when running away with a Leicester maiden last month and could put his experience to good use, even though Cathy Gannon now takes over from Neil Callan. Bill Turner's The Dancing Lord won impressively at Folkestone on debut and is another to consider but with Jake Payne doing the steering, I'd prefer to have Gannon onside over the rookie at these prices. 9/4 Ladbrokes. 3.00 Newmarket The Tattersalls Millions 3-y-o sprint looks a cracking little contest. What was interesting was Jeremy Noseda had entered Instance, despite her being rated on 76. Its little surprise that she has now pulled out with a self cert as they could no doubt land several juicy handicaps with her this season if they want - so well treated she is. Mahmood Al Zarooni sends out Neebras who sets the form standard and looks the one to beat on official figures. He was a staying on second in the Group 2 TNT stakes over 6f here last July and should relish this extra furlong. Luca Cumani's Khor Seed has Keiren Fallon booked to ride and is useful on her day. She won a £55k fillies Stakes race here over 6f last season and although disappointed in the Cheveley Park stakes when signing off her season, probably hasn't finished improving. Richard Fahey has started the season in good order and Sir Reginald must be respected. He ran to a consistent standard in decent company last term but may come into his own over 1m later this season. Clive Brittain's MASAYA finished third behind Khor Seed here last season but plugged on one paced and could well reverse the form over this longer journey. The fact she came out of that race and won here over 7f in the £300,000 2-y-o fillies trophy later that term only serves to reinforce the belief she has more to offer over 7f, before an inevitable tilt at the 1,000 Guineas next month. Whether she is good enough to beat the Godolphin favourite remains to be seen but at 8/1 she is probably the value call in the race.