In-form Akasaka can oblige again
The highest rated is Niall Madden’s Ozeta, formerly trained in France and then by Nicky Henderson in England. He has 11lbs in hand of Akasaka, but has shown nothing in two outings over flights in this country and is passed over.
Steps To Freedom is 5lbs clear of the selection, but returns from a break of 153 days and needs further than this extended ten furlongs.
In contrast, there are no concerns regarding Akasaka, who arrives at the peak of his powers.
He produced an excellent display on this track last time, defying 10-3 to win a handicap in fine style and certainly looks the one to beat.
John McConnell’s Black N Brew can take the second section of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Race And Stay Handicap.
He went up 6lbs for going under by a length to Alvar at Dundalk last month, but that was fair enough, considering the third was a further six lengths away.
Tamujin, beaten a head by Cookie Crumbles here last time, gets the nod in the second division of the same race.
