Banta Too Big At Newcastle

Extreme Supreme did not live up to his name yesterday, and it was a very dispappointing effort. He slightly stumbled when leaving the stalls and couldn't adopt his favoured prominent position. The writing was on the wall from a very early stage, but he is not one to lose faith in just yet, as I believe he is more than capable of adding to his two wins. Perhaps a return to Southwell could be the answer.

The quality of the fare on offer today is of the usual midweek standard, with a host of low grade handicaps and maidens all there is to work with. One horse that has caught my eye on a couple of occasions this season is the Tim Easterby trained 2yo filly Secret Banta, who has her fourth start in maiden comapny in the 5.20 at Newcastle.

This filly has run a couple of races full of promise, with only her second effort being disappointing. On debut at Thirsk (5F good to firm) she was very slowly away, and looked as green as guacamole in the early part of the race. She shaped with definite promise in the latter part of the race though, keeping on nicely after nothing but a couple of slaps down the neck from Fentiman.

Her next run wasn't as good, at Redcar (6F good to firm), but the winner that day has turned out to be a quality operator, and Fentiman wasn't exactly hard on Secret Banta once her chance was gone. Her next run at Beverley (7.5F good to firm) was a real eyecatcher. She broke well, but her jockey took an obvious pull early and dropped her in at the rear of the field. Rounding the home turn she was still in rear, but she still looked to be travelling well enough. Inexplicably, just as the race was starting to develop, Rachel Richardson decided to try and make ground on the inside of the field, and as the leader kicked for home she found herself trapped behind a couple of backpedalling horses. By the time her path cleared the winner and runner up had flown. She was again just pushed out hands and heels, and stayed on nicely for 3rd.

This looks a poor enough maiden, and Secret Banta has been given six weeks off since her last run. The stiff 7F at Newcastle should suit, and she didn't exactly look at home going around the turns of Beverley, so the straight course should  play to her strengths too. Fentiman is back on, and it is interesting that Easterby is persisting in maidens given that she has already qualified to run in handicaps. She is a huge price today at 33/1, but I don't think she will have to improve a huge amount to get involved. At those sort of odds she is worth a little each way support today, and even if she doesn't win  is one to keep a close eye on once sent handicapping.

Selection: 5.20 Newcastle Secret Banta (33/1) e/w.