The quality of racing edges up a notch at Newbury this afternoon as we canter towards the weekend.

Up and coming trainer Tom Lacey brings Midnight Monty to the course (1430 GMT) off the back of a 9 month lay-off, for his stable debut and in a first time tongue-tie.  Lacey pulled off the same trick successfully with a horse as recently as Tuesday and Monty has to be watched closely in the market.

Last season he was trained by Keith Reveley and showed distinct promise in the Spring before his season fell apart with a few poor runs. If Lacey can relight the fire then this mark could look good, and the favourites here look priced as an over-reaction to some easy but uncompetitive recent wins.

Shortly afterwards (1505), we are tempted by the lightly raced and improving Malapie. However, drying ground may not suit this son of Westerner. At the odds, it may be worth risking a touch of the Beer Goggles.

This son of Oscar should appreciate the ground. His form was coming over all post-code after a VPF sequence, but a good third reverting back to hurdles last time has been franked by subsequent wins for the two in front that day. He may well have been overlooked in the market.

Recommendations:  Midnight Monty (1430 Newbury), 8/1 generally available  &  Beer Goggles (1505 Newbury), 14/1, generally available.

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