Prince can be crowned at Newmarket

By Stephen, bettingexpert.com | Published 00:01 08.06.2012

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Illustrious Prince has been creeping back to top form in recent weeks and can land the Lloyds Tsb Cardnet Handicap at Newmarket this afternoon.

Declan Carroll's 5-y-o is a smooth travelling type who has improved with each of his four runs this season as he nears optimum fitness, and shaped as though he was ready to strike when fifth at Catterick last time out despite not getting the breaks at crucial stages. He traded at a short price in running when in the frame over course and distance in May and seems sure to go close under the promising 5lb claimer Neil Farley.

Main danger for the £12,000 prize money may come from the Folkestone winner Escape to Glory. The 4-y-o landed quite a punt last time out, enjoying the step upto 7f after an unsuccesful spell sprinting, and the way in which he cut down a fair field late suggested he is upto defying a small rise in the weights. However, that run came on a very fast surface and the recent rain easing conditions must be a major concern (tailed off 19th of 24 runners when last running on testing ground on the Rowley course here over 6f).

Mubtadi is worth a glance at in the betting on just his second start for rookie trainer Ismail Mohammed. The tongue-tied 4-y-o did not shape too badly over a mile when seventh on his seasonal reappearance at Newbury 13 days ago, and has slipped to a decent mark after losing his way for another stable last term. His sole career win in 11 starts came on easy ground at Brighton in 2010 and he could well go close under Royston Ffrench.

My Son Max was a shock winner on the all-weather at Kempton last time out (traded at 150-1 in running but found plenty for pressure to get up in a tight finish). He needs to prove that was no fluke on this return to the turf in a much more competitive contest.

Able Master has plummeted in the weights after a long losing run stretching back to York in September 2009. He had appeared firmly on the downgrade until showing a glimmer of life when fifth at Haydock 13 days on very firm ground, and it remains to be seen whether that was a flash in the pan or a resurgence. Silvestre de Souza is an eye-catching jockey booking and the David O'Meara yard has a good record at reviving similarly jaded performers.

Atlantic Sport has not been seen out for 251 days and may need a run or two to reach peak form, while Redvers has only ever won on firm ground or the all-weather and has been well held when encountering testing conditions in the past.

At a bigger price Cockney Class may outrun his odds. Brian Meehan has been campaigning the 5-y-o over longer trips and he made a promising seasonal bow until fading before the furlong pole over a mile last time. He is entitled to strip fitter for that pipeopener and the useful 3lb claimer Harry Bentley is in the plate.

In summary, a wide open handicap where the market will guide as to what is expected with some of the less exposed contenders. Illustrious Prince has a decent record at this venue and has gone into the notebook on his last two starts. At around 7-1 this morning he is a solid each-way wager to travel best and hopefully edge ahead in the closing stages.

Stephen's Friday Nap Athenian 2.10 Newmarket

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