Arsaadi can make class tell at Newbury

Arsaadi’s form figures may not look that inspiring at first glance but her last run at Royal Ascot suggested that she was returning to her best. Sent off an unconsidered 50-1 shot for the Royal Hunt Cup, she blazed the trail on the far side and stuck on gamely to finish third.

That marked a big improvement on her two previous efforts. Last summer she was good enough to get within half a length of the smart Duntle in receipt of just 7lbs in the Sandringham Handicap. If she is in that sort of form on Saturday she has a major chance.

Mark Johnston also has his string in flying form and he is represented by Galician, the mount of Silvestre De Sousa. Like most of Johnston’s string, she does not waste a lot of time standing still in her box and this will be her sixth outing within a month.

Galician finished in midfield behind Field Of Dream in the Bunbury Cup last weekend but had beaten the odds-on Quick Wit at Hamilton two starts previously. She looks a shade unpredictable but does seem to run her best races in small fields.

The in-form horse of the race is Oddysey, trained by Michael Dods. She has won her last two races narrowly at Thirsk and Doncaster. It may be that she keeps a little to herself and could still be ahead of the handicapper.

Richard Hannon’s Forgive ran well behind Great Timing at Newmarket last month but trailed home in last place at Pontefract on her last start. Subtle Knife has yet to appear this season but ran a couple of decent races last year for Giles Bravery and could be one to keep an eye on in the betting market.

Sorella Bella and Alice’s Dancer look to be up against it on their recent form, although the latter has been consistent at a lower grade and deserves to take her chance.