20th Jun 2011 | Horse Racing
Newbury Tip: Equuleus Pictor
Is off a winning mark, enjoys cut in ground and has found a very weak handicap.
The 8.50 at Newbury is a class five race in name only. A handicap for horses rated between 0-70, Equuleus Pictor tops the weights. The next best horse is rated 65, with the rest of the field in the low 60s and 50s. It is such a weak field it is more like a class six race. If Equuleus Pictor cannot register his first win in two years then he has problems.
Everything has fallen right for John Spearing’s gelding. He has the cut in the ground he loves, a strong pace to aim at and he is in good form. Last time out he was going well when badly squeezed for room. He finished fifth, beaten 2.5 lengths but he would have finished in the top three with a clear run.
Having been rated as high as 89, this six-time winner is finally back to a realistic mark. In class five races over five furlongs, with the ground no firmer than good, his record is: 123145. Those two unplaced efforts can be excused because of a poor draw and interference.
The yard haven’t had a winner since October and they can finally get off the cold list at Newbury.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 17:21 20th Jun, 2011 but subject to change
