Watson at Newbury

Newbury Racecourse Ambassador Jason Watson gives his thoughts on his five mounts at Newbury this evening.

Tuesday rides

5.30 Lightning Bug

She is a filly of Suzy Smith’s who should improve for a run. It’s her first time on turf. She is probably a little bit out of depth in grade but hopefully will have learnt something from her first start. The drop back to six furlongs might just be a bit sharp for her.

6.05 Summer Lake

She is trained by my boss Roger Charlton. She didn’t handle the ground or the track the last day and ran very green. I am hoping she will come on for her first run. This is a much more straightforward track which I think she will enjoy, as well as relishing the quicker ground. She gave me the impression she will come on a lot for the run.

6.35 Pearl Beach

I rode this horse in a barrier trial when I got the impression that seven furlongs would be a minimum trip. She seemed a straightforward type who I think will come on a lot for the run and probably be a horse for the future. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see her finish in the frame. There are a few top stables in here but the horses that have run haven’t shown a great deal.

8.15 Swift Approval

He has won over this trip before. He has come down a lot in the weights since his last win. As an older horse if he is right on the day he can put in a performance. He has better form on the all-weather but this track should help him. His best recent run was probably two starts ago when he was favourite at Yarmouth and finished fourth. He will have the same ground conditions and trip here. It looks a pretty strong race but he is probably in the right grade.

8.45 Q Twenty Boy

He has been fairly consistent and in his last three runs over five furlongs showed some promise. It looks like a step up in trip will help him as he doesn’t seem to get there in time. The ground should be perfect. At the same time he has had nearly a year off so whether he needs the run or not we will have to wait and see. But he finished second to a horse that is now rated 86 and he is rated in the 50s so on paper he should be quite well handicapped.