Wick Powell is expected to be considerably sharper than on his last start when he reports for duty at Newcastle.
The three-year-old colt is a lovely horse, and earned connections a good few bob as a juvenile after having finished runner-up in a big sales race in Ireland.
He then considerably added to the kitty with a determined success in the Listed Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar last October. Little wonder, then, that the vibes were positive at Southwell in January for his return to the fray.
Wick Powell was sent on his way the 11/10 favourite, but he did not quite pick up as might have been expected and could only finish third behind Gracious Tom.
Trainer David Barron will not have been too down in the dumps, though, as that was a competitive enough starting point on his first start for a good while.
There is also the suspicion the five-furlong trip might have been a touch on the sharp side for him, too.
His trainer seems to be thinking that way, at any rate, as Wick Powell steps back up to six furlongs for the 32Red Casino Handicap.
Some interesting horses have been declared at Gosforth Park, but the son of Sakhee’s Secret looks the one to be with.
Forest Angel can inflict weight and a beating upon her 11 rivals in the 32Red.com Handicap.
The grey daughter of Grey Angel faced some stiff tests in her juvenile campaign, but she did not show up too badly at all in two hot maidens at Newmarket.
She then raised her game again over eight-and-a-half furlongs at Wolverhampton in February, when only beaten a length-and-a-quarter by the useful-looking Dark Titan.
Trainer James Tate has made the intriguing decision to revert to seven furlongs with Forest Angel, which is a ploy that should work as she is seemingly not devoid of a gear or two.
See Vermont should be trusted in the Betway Handicap.
The Rebecca Bastiman-trained nine-year-old’s best days are probably behind him, but he is definitely capable of winning a small prize like this off a lowly all-weather mark of 57.
See Vermont has actually been in reasonable form this winter and was an eyecatcher at Wolverhampton last month when he missed the break yet still finished third in a five-furlong sprint handicap.
That should set him up nicely for this, while it is reassuring to see the exceedingly capable Danny Tudhope keep the faith.
Nap: Wick Powell
(7:15: Newcastle)
Double: Forest Angel
(6:15: Newcastle)
Treble: See Vermont
(7:45 Newcastle)
Yankee: Jet Setter
(8.15: Newcastle)
