15th Jul 2011 | Horse Racing
Newbury Tip: Pastoral Player
A progressive sprinter and the return to six furlongs on better ground will see him at his best.
The 2.20 at Newbury is a moderate group three and my interest is in the handicappers making the step up in class. As discussed many times, the gap between horses in top handicaps and minor group events is negligible. A winner of a big handicap at Newmarket and third in the Wokingham, Pastoral Player can make the step up.
You can ignore his last run at Sandown, that was over an inadequate five furlongs, but before that he looked progressive. Although he faces Wokingham winner Deacon Blues in today’s race, the soft ground was not in his favour at Ascot, under firmer conditions he can turn the form around.
So far the season Pastoral Player has clocked two times I would consider good enough to win a group three contest. Having only his 14th start he still looks on the upgrade and trainer Hughie Morrison has always considered him listed class at the very least.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 09:24 15th Jul, 2011 but subject to change
