Avison (15:10) hardly covered himself in glory at Hamilton on his handicap bow last time, failing to settle fully and making little impression, but he remains unexposed and it is simply too soon to write him off. Richard Fahey's gelded half-brother to Screen Star, a mare who won her only start by 11 lengths, showed definite promise in three outings in maidens last season, certainly enough to suggest he can be competitive off his current BHA mark of 59 (his Timeform master figure is 72). The freshness Avison displayed on that aforementioned start last month can be attributed to it being his first run of the year and he can put things right today at rewarding odds in the hands of David Nolan.
She may be a daughter of a Derby winner (Galileo) and a niece of an Oaks winner (Dancing Rain) but Maybe's (16:05) precocity as a juvenile, her run style and the fact that her dam was an out-and-out sprinter means Ballydoyle's 1000 Guineas third remains a doubtful stayer for the twelve furlongs of the Epsom Oaks. Even Aidan O'Brien, who guided Maybe to listed, Group 3, Group 2 and Group 1 success last year, is unsure of whether his filly has the stamina reserves required to win today's classic and the fact that the yard run six is a further indication that they are without a standout representative. Stablemate Kissed, The Fugue, Vow, Kailani and even Coquet look sure-fire stayers with the ability to go close, which means Maybe is an obvious place lay at around 2.47/5.
Finally, back at Newcastle, Teacher (17:00) can strike for William Haggas and Highlere Thoroughbred, even if Oaks fancy Vow fails to do so, when lining up in the penultimate handicap. Having shown only a slight glimmer of ability in three maidens as a two-year-old, Teacher was given what looked a very workable official rating of 45 given his connections and even made it into Timeform Horses To Follow 2012, the belief that low-grade races were his for the taking this term. Teacher did bomb out at Yarmouth on his handicap debut exactly a month ago but heavy ground can be blamed for that showing and the fact he went off at a Betfair Starting Price of 2.59159/100 in a 12-runner field suggests he isn't a lost cause. With his yard flying, Teacher can pass the test.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Avison @ 6.05/1 in the 15:10 at Newcastle
Lay Maybe for a place @ 2.47/5 in the 16:05 at Epsom
Back Teacher @ 4.84/1 in the 17:00 at Newcastle
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