Pendower the pick at Newbury
Much was expected of him on his bumper debut at Newton Abbot last May and while he made hard work of it as the even-money favourite, there was still a lot to like about his performance.
A typical Paul Nicholls purchase and every inch a chaser, the six-year-old showed clear signs of inexperience on his debut, but still managed to come home a length ahead of a subsequent winner in Humbel Ben.
The fact that he has been off the track for 10 months suggests there may have been a problem or two, but he clearly has a good level of ability and must go close in the Events Bar Management Maiden Hurdle.
Jimmy Bond can send Carlisle punters home happy in the concluding Jools Holland Here 3rd July Handicap Chase, while Ferdy Murphy sends a good squad across to Sedgefield, with recent Catterick runner-up Bewery Man appearing one of the most likely sources of a winner.
