Epsom and Newbury previews: Escalating can rise to the occasion

The three-year-old has shown progressive form in five starts, finishing runner-up twice at Southwell before opening his account at that venue with an easy wide margin success in a 1m maiden.

Melendez made all before drawing clear from the furlong marker to beat Deansgate hard-held by five lengths, and the third home William Hunter has won since off a rating of 74.

It makes Melendez look nicely treated off an opening handicap mark of 79, and the manner of the victory suggested there could be plenty more improvement to come.

The step up to in trip should also suit the son of Point Given, and Melendez can make the most of the 13lb he receives from Nigel to land the spoils.

Epsom selections

18.10: Duke Of Sonning
18.45: Manolito De Madrid
19.15: Escalating (NAP)
19.50: Melendez (NB)
20.20: First Experience
20.50: Fast Dancer

Spring Fling to cash-in on class drop at Newbury

Spring Fling has shaped as coming to the boil and can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways in the 6f handicap on this evening’s card at Newbury (20:05).

The Henry Candy trained mare has just one win to her name, and that came in a classified contest at Windsor two years ago.

However, Spring Fling has been relatively lightly-raced since then and run well in some decent contests.

They include a solid 4 3/4 length sixth of 14 to Jack Dexter in a Listed contest at Doncaster last November, and the four-year-old comes into the race having shaped as if ahead of her mark when sixth of 12 to Intense Style in a class 3 contest at Doncaster.

Spring Fling took up the running travelling strongly two from home but then drifted badly left across the track and weakened in the final 100 yards to be beaten 3 3/4 lengths.

The daughter of Assertive gave away far more ground than she was eventually beaten and would arguably have won if she had chartered a straight course, and off an unchanged mark of 83 Spring Fling can make amends now dropped into class 4 company.

Yangtze can sail to success under Moore

Yangtze was a big eye-catcher last time out and can open his account in the 1m 4f handicap now eased in grade (19.30).

The Sir Michael Stoute trained gelding has improved with each run this season, and ran a blinder when fourth of 12 to Dal Harraild in the valuable class 3 Edinburgh Cup at Musselburgh earlier in the month.

After dwelling at the start and losing vital ground, Yangtze made good headway three from home and stayed on well to be nearest at the finish and beaten 3 1/2 lengths.

It was a fine effort given how the race panned out, and the second and third home have both come out and won since.

That gives the form a rock solid look and, off just 1lb higher, Yangtze is going to be very tough to beat in this far weaker lower grade class 4 contest in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Newbury selections

17.55: Quickaswecan
18.25: In The Spotlight
19.00: Salouen
19.30: Yangtze (NB)
20.05: Spring Fling (NAP)
20.35: Fort Jefferson
21.10: Critical Speed

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