We kick off proceedings with a six-furlong fillies' handicap (14:30) and the one to keep on side after the withdrawal of overnight favourite Divine looks to be the aptly named Much Promise. She has some solid maiden form to her name and was an easy winner at Kempton on her final start of 2013. She's from a family which handles soft going and looks the type to improve as a three-year-old. This looks an ideal starting point and if she's fully tuned-up today you'd expect her to win what looks a less competitive contest than when final declarations were made.
We head to Brighton for the next contest under consideration over a mile-and-a-half (15:30) and given that there should be more to come from Cape Arrow, he's taken to add to his success at Southwell earlier this month. It's clear that the gelding operation he underwent during the winter has brought about an improved level of form, as he was narrowly beaten in the final strides at his reappearance at Bath before his victory last time. He remains capable of improvement and sets the standard here, and although Oasis Fantasy will appreciate the drop to this level and is respected, the selection is expected to continue his upward progression at the expense of today's rivals.
We return to Newmarket for our final bet of the day, a competitive ten-furlong handicap (16:15) in which Cloudscape would have a big chance if he's back to his best in a first-time tongue tie. However the vote goes to Barye, who was value for plenty more than the winning distance at Lingfield last time; he won by the narrowest of margins but given that he was short of room on the rail at a crucial stage the manner in which he quickened when he found some daylight was extremely promising. He could be thrown in off a mark of 76 and if he gets a clearer passage today he may well prove a step ahead of his rivals, although Famous Kid might find conditions in his favour and merits respect.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Much Promise @ 5.04/1 in the 14:30 at Newmarket
Back Cape Arrow @ 4.94/1 in the 15:30 at Brighton
Back Barye @ 7.413/2 in the 16:15 at Newmarket
