Weekend Preview - Newbury

Olympic Legacy - Olympic Glory can cement his reputation in the Greenham

The flat season has really got under way in earnest now and although many eyes will undoubtedly be on Ayr this weekend for the Scottish National, my main interest this weekend is at Newbury for the Greenham meeting.

In the 1.50, formerly the John Porter Stakes, the horse that shall forever be known as Frankel’s brother Noble Mission returns and should take all the beating given the way the Cecil yard have started the season and how consistent he’s been in races at the top level.

Noble Mission won on this card last year and the 1m4f looks to be his optimum trip. Last year’s St. Leger seventh Guarantee could give him most to think about but this looks a good opportunity for Frankel’s full brother to make his first start in 2013 a winning one.

In the 2.55, formerly the Fred Darling, William Haggas’ unbeaten Rosdhu Queen looks the one to be with. She’s got an extra furlong and ground softer than she’s raced on thus far to contend with but she should be good enough to see off the opposition and head to the Guineas still without a loss to her name.

She was impressive in winning the Cheveley Park towards the end of last season and has a previous course win to her name, other than the shorter than ideal price there looks to be very little reason to oppose a horse that looks to be heading to Newmarket with a good chance of making an impression in the 1000 Guineas.

Maureen and The Gold Cheongsam can chase her home.

In the feature, The Aon Greenham Stakes – won two years ago by the mighty Frankel – two horses that will no doubt have big seasons ahead of them put their lofty reputations on the line in what looks for all intents and purposes a match.

The Hannon team look to have hit the ground running this season and Olympic Glory is a horse I really like and think will be extremely hard to beat here.

His record last season was rock solid with his only loss coming in the Coventry when second behind red hot 2000 Guineas Dawn Approach. Olympic Glory seemed to improve as the season went on and if he’s wintered well classic glory could beckon in 2013.

On what they’ve achieved on track to date I find it difficult to understand how certain quarters can be tipping Moohaajim over Richard Hannon’s colt.

The Botti team aren’t exactly in a rich vein of form, the horse has a jockey who’ll be riding him for the first time and he signed off last season with a defeat, albeit one by the narrowest of margins.

Moohaajim does offer the value in the race at the current prices but his price is relative to his chance in my opinion.

If he turns up at his peak then Olympic Glory should win this en route to hopefully showing the French a thing or two in their 2000 Guineas equivalent.

Recommendations:

1.50 Noble Mission 1pt win @ 11/8 (Paddy Power)

2.55 Rosdhu Queen 1pt win @ 11/8 (Paddy Power)

3.30 Olympic Glory 2pts win @ 4/5 (Paddy Power)