Today's first SmartPlay comes in the opener at Doncaster, where the lightly-raced Mawasem can prove too good for his rivals on his handicap debut. Sir Michael Stoute's physically-imposing colt caught the eye when making his debut in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket and built on that experience when running out a ready winner of a Kempton maiden next time. Mawasem was heavily backed that day and put up a performance that marked him down as potentially smart, and the form has already started to work out, with both the runner-up and the fourth going on to win since. A BHA mark of 95 isn't particularly lenient judged on what he's actually achieved, but Mawasem's overall profile suggests he'll have little trouble overcoming it before setting his sights on some bigger targets.
We head to Newmarket for the second selection, where Pearl Ice looks the one to beat under a penalty in the 14:55. David Barron's sprinter has been sent off favourite on all three starts this year and made up for a luckless defeat at Thirsk when running out a comfortable winner at Ripon three days ago, looking one destined for the top handicaps this season (entered in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot). Pearl Ice would need only to repeat the form he showed at Ripon to follow up today, but he's progressing fast and leaves the impression there's an even bigger performance in him.
Twelve Strings had no luck when bidding for a hat-trick at Newmarket last month and can resume winning ways at Windsor this evening (20:30). The Luca Cumani-trained 3-y-o picked up where he left off last season when landing a competitive handicap at Haydock on his reappearance and was then badly hampered when going for the three-timer at HQ. Twelve Strings finished with plenty of running left at Newmarket, remains open to improvement and will have no trouble with the soft ground, while he's also given the impression the step up in trip should be within his compass, for all he's by Iffraaj.
Timeform SmartPlays
Back Mawasem @ 3.7511/4 in the 14:05 at Doncaster
Back Pearl Ice @ 3.185/40 in the 14:55 at Newmarket
Back Twelve Strings @ 5.04/1 in the 20:30 at Windsor
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