The Free Handicap (15:30 Newmarket), won last year by Garswood, is usually an informative contest and this year is no different as a number of unexposed three-year-olds are pitted against one another. The one with the most potential from his mark, however, could be the Roger Varian-trained Mushir and he is put forward to retain his unbeaten record. Mushir created a very good impression on his debut at Kempton, overcoming obvious signs of inexperience to beat the useful Speedfiend in a tight finish, and, with that form subsequently franked, he again prevailed in a narrow finish, taking the step up to listed company in his stride at York. A mark of 100 could well underestimate Mushir and he is fancied to make a winning return to action.
The national hunt season may be winding down but there is a cracking card at Cheltenham in which the bet of the day comes in the feature contest - the Silver Trophy Chase at 15:50 - as we put faith in Buywise putting up a better round of jumping than he managed in the Novices' Handicap Chase at the Festival. Buywise went into the contest as one of the most progressive horses in training and he emerged with that reputation still intact, despite only finishing fifth, a succession of jumping errors halting his progress. In his defence, Buywise was tackling a significantly more competitive race than the ones he had been winning and this won't be quite so fierce as that ultra-competitive Festival handicap. Buywise remains an exciting horse and he can regain the winning thread.
The 2014 Nell Gwyn Stakes (Newmarket 16:05) doesn't look like a vintage renewal on paper, but Sandiva sets the standard based on her juvenile form and is worth siding with. Sandiva burst onto the scene with two comfortable victories on her first couple of outings, winning a listed race at Naas in such taking style that she was regarded as one of the bankers of the week at Royal Ascot, sent off as the 7/4 favourite in the Albany Stakes. She didn't quite meet expectations on that occasion, however, as she was readily brushed aside by Kiyoshi, but she bounced back to form with a comfortable success in a Group 3 contest in France, and that form is just about the best on offer here. She disappointed subsequently in the Prix Marcel Boussac, but she returns to action with her stable in good form and makes plenty of appeal here.
Timeform UK SmartPlays:
Back Mushir @ 4.216/5 in the 15:30 at Newmarket
Back Buywise @ 3.953/1 in the 15:50 at Cheltenham
Back Sandiva @ 4.47/2 in the 16:05 at Newmarket
