Sutter County has proved frustrating to follow this winter but will surely come good in the 32Red Casino Conditions Stakes at Newcastle this afternoon.
Mark Johnston’s three-year-old looked a seriously exciting prospect when bolting up on his Wolverhampton debut last March and earned himself a step up in grade by landing a novice event at Newmarket’s Craven meeting.
He looked to have his limitations exposed in Listed and Group company later in the season, but has been running consistently well on the all-weather in recent months, most recently being narrowly beaten by the useful Tomily at Lingfield.
There is nothing of that standard in this field, with Sutter County well clear on official ratings, and it will be bitterly disappointing if he is unable to make the most of what looks a gilt-edged opportunity.
The Betway Handicap is significantly more competitive, with Petite Jack fancied to continue his progression.
Neil King’s youngster ran terribly on his hurdling debut at Newton Abbot during the summer and his return to the level at Epsom did not yield much improvement.
However, he has been reinvigorated back on the all-weather, rising from a mark of 73 to 90 after completing a hat-trick at Lingfield.
His latest impressive display suggested he has not stopped improving yet and with confidence high, he should make his presence felt once more.
Colin’s Sister can continue her rise through the ranks with victory in the Weatherbys GSB Goes Online Jane Seymour Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Sandown.
The Fergal O’Brien-trained six-year-old showed useful form in bumpers last season and is three from three since being sent jumping.
A cosy debut success at Chepstow was followed by an impressive display at Warwick and she graduated to Listed class with honours when completing her hat-trick at Haydock in mid-December.
The forecast testing conditions and stiff track will play to Colin’s Sister’s strengths and she looks capable of giving weight and a beating to her rivals at Grade Two level.
Rathlin Rose is the selection in the Royal Artillery Gold Cup.
The nine-year-old is easily the least experienced horse in the field, having made just seven starts under Rules, and yet he is the highest-rated contender.
He absolutely bolted up on his chasing debut at Wetherby in May 2015, but was then sidelined by injury for the best part of two years.
David Pipe’s charge made his comeback at Newbury last month and was far from disgraced in finishing a close-up fourth.
Rathlin Rose will surely improve and while most of his opponents are veterans on the downgrade, there is plenty of scope for progress off his current mark of 128.
National Hunt action also comes from Fakenham, where Zeroeshadesofgrey has a good opportunity to get back on the winning trail.
Neil King’s grey won four times over hurdles, but always looked the type likely to do better over a fence.
However, his jumping lacked fluency on his chasing debut at Wetherby last season and connections decided to switch back to the smaller obstacles for the remainder of the campaign.
He returned to Wetherby to open his account over fences in the same race in October. He was beaten back at the West Yorkshire circuit the following month, but was conceding over a stone to the useful Actinpieces.
Zeroeshadesofgrey was disappointing back over timber at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, but is the class act in the Your Cheltenham Guide At attheraces.com/cheltenham Novices’ Chase and will be very hard to beat with a clear round.
Nap: Sutter County
(2.50: Newcastle)
Double: Petite Jack
(3.25: Newcastle)
Treble: Colin's Sister
(2.40: Sandown)
Yankee: Rathlin Rose
(3.15: Sandown)
