Spiller’s Charge Looks Overpriced At Newmarket

Sahreej ran a cracking race for us earlier at the Curragh, staying on well for 2nd behind Enter The Red. The 14/1 shot was given a good ride by young Danny Sheehy, and he went on to ride the winner of the next race for Adrian Keatley. He is a claimer with a big future and he is well worth keeping an eye on going forward as plenty of trainers will be looking to utilise his claim, which probably won’t last very long.

Henry Spiller has his string in fine fettle.

Tomorrow is Derby Day at the Curragh and I think Wings Of Eagles is definitely the one to beat. The only worry would be an easy surface but the weather forecast is good and the ground is likely to dry out. He won at Epsom on merit and he can follow up and give Aidan O’Brien yet another Irish Derby win. I also think Champagne Champ has a good each way chance in the Pitmen’s Derby at Newcastle and at odds of 33/1 he should run his usual solid race.

Saturday’s blog selection goes in the 10f handicap at 16.55 at Newmarket and local trainer Henry Spiller fires three bullets at this race. Canterbury Quad and Broughtons Knight wouldn’t be without chances off marks of 77 and 69 respectively, but I think his 80 rated handicap debutant Staff College looks interesting with Jim Crowley booked. This son of Slickly was last sighted 3 months ago finishing down the field on soft ground in France, but his sole run on good to soft was a cracker.

That came in an 8f maiden at Maisons-Laffitte in France and he was beaten less than a length in 3rd. The form of that race has worked out well, and the winner went on to beat a subsequent Group 2 winner before finishing 8th behind Brametot in the French Guineas. The 2nd, just a short head in front of Staff College went close behind a subsequent Group 3 winner next time and the 5th home won next time and has since scored in Listed company.

All that evidence suggests that Staff College should be well capable of making his presence felt here off a mark of 80 and the good to soft ground will suit. His dam is related to quality dual purpose performer Sentry Duty so the step up to 10f is another potential positive. Staff College is the joint highest rated horse in the field, but with the 3yo allowance he gets to race off just 9st 4lbs. The booking of Jim Crowley catches the eye and he finished 4th on his only previous ride for Spiller. I think odds of 16/1 look too big and Staff College is Saturday’s e/w selection.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 16.55 NEWMARKET-STAFF COLLEGE E/W @ 16/1