Doncaster 2.50 — Bunyola Bay v Moreedd
A key novice clash at Doncaster sees Richard Hannon’s Bunyola Bay take on Roger Varian’s newcomer Moreedd in the Natural Innovations Novice Stakes. Bunyola Bay, a son of Ghaiyyath, impressed on debut when third to Needle Match at Newbury and brings some useful experience to this small but competitive field. Moreedd, owned by Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum and ridden by Callum Rodriguez, boasts an excellent pedigree (closely related to the likes of Benbatl) and should be well watched in the market on first start for Varian. Ollie Sangster’s Deported, rated 78, completes the shortlist after three all-weather runs and returns to turf; Danny Tudhope’s decent Doncaster record (around Town Moor) adds to his appeal.
Chepstow 4.55 — Broomfields Cave v Inflexible
The Sun Trade Windows Final Pride Handicap Chase brings together recent winners Broomfields Cave and Inflexible. Inflexible can be unpredictable but showed a revival when scoring at 25-1 at Uttoxeter last month; David Bass takes the ride and the step up in trip could suit if he’s in the same mood. Broomfields Cave has won three of his six starts over fences and followed up at Wincanton; a 4 lb rise is to be expected but Bradley Harris stays aboard and further improvement is possible. Charles Ritz ran creditably last time but may struggle to see out this trip, while Manothepeople looks to drop into more suitable company.
Fontwell 5.45 — Edgewell bids for hat-trick
Edgewell tries for a third straight success in the Free Bets On attheraces.com Handicap Chase. Trained by Nick Scholfield, who has enjoyed a strong start to his training career, Edgewell arrives in good heart after a brace of wins at Hereford and is now ridden by Harry Reed. Ballynaheer is an obvious alternative — a course-and-distance winner who has landed three of his last four starts but carries a career-high mark. Sweet Nightingale and Le Galli Bier are other likely contenders in what looks a trappy contest; Moonlit Potter will be hoping to bounce back after unseating her rider at Hereford.
Best of the rest
At Chepstow (4.20), Paul Nicholls sends out Quay Item in the Dunraven Windows Miss Millbrook Novices’ Hurdle, while Nicky Henderson runs the intriguing Treasure Planet. On Town Moor (4.35), James Keane’s The Jackal makes his second start in the Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Novice Stakes after an unlucky debut; he meets Bucklow Hill, who impressed when opening his account for Charlie Hills in January. Note that last year’s winner, Royal Dress, went on to Listed and Group 3 success and later ran at Group 2 level at Royal Ascot, underlining the quality this race can reveal.
Later at Fontwell, Jackomy looks for a hat-trick in the 6.20 KSR Lighting Handicap Hurdle but will need to be watched for Calvino and Valadon, who both represent solid threats.