Pikar the pick at Newbury

There is a strong suspicion that Grivetana is a well handicapped horse at present and can take advantage of her mark against her own sex today at Newbury. She showed fair form last season and returned this season with a fine 2nd over course and distance before markedly improving on that in her next run when again 2nd over course and distance in what looked a strong race. The winner had form behind State Man and the 4th has come out and won since. Grivetana battled on well that day, only getting run down in the final 110 yards. These slightly calmer waters today should see her return to the winners enclosure. She rates a 2 star win pick.

Pikar was highly tried last season after finishing a good 1l 2nd to the now 153 rated Knappers Hill at Chepstow on his debut. He ran in a couple of grade 2 events and just fell short of the standard. However he looked to have returned this winter as an improved model when taking what looks a decent novice at Chepstow in November, the 2nd and 4th have won since and the 3rd was an unlucky loser at Ascot. Considering his stable were not firing at the time but are amongst the winners now, that effort can be marked up further. His current handicap mark of 130 may well be a gross underestimation of his ability. He rates a 3 star win Pick.

Hermes Allen hasn't put a foot wrong since being transferred to the Paul Nicholls yard from the point-to-point field. He was a facile 27l winner at Stratford in October (beating a good yardstick too) and then followed that up with another 8l win at Cheltenham in grade 2 company over today's trip. He looks to carry the best form into the race and has lots of scope for further improvement. The stable have won this race with the likes of Bravemansgame and Denman in the past, and although Hermes Allen has a long way to go to be mentioned in the same breath, he has all the raw ingredients to go to the top. At prohibitive odds he rates a 2 star Pick.