Pick of the Pundits – Penang Cinta to liven up the south coast

The pundits are still feeling the repercussions from a tough time at Ascot last week and just 11 of the 50 Racing Post naps competition tipsters found a winner yesterday.

Visions Of Johanna landed the pundits gamble at Wolverhampton yesterday following a disappointing run from the highly napped and odds-on chance Trumpington Street earlier in the day.

However while many struggled yesterday, a big cheer has to go up for Chris Wright of the Liverpool Daily Post who ended a 31-nap losing streak with a winner in the 3.30 at Wolverhampton yesterday.

He naps Thinking (7/2JF) in the 3.45 at Beverley and having won over the course and distance just 13 days ago, he has a real chance and this could be the start of the Chris Wright hot streak.

4.00 Brighton: Penang Cinta – 5/4

This Class 6 handicap looks a straight shootout between the two horses at the top of the weights and five of the racing writers in this Racing Post competition have napped Penang Cinta while his rival Megalala gets just the one nap.

Penang Cinta has been dropped 3lbs by the handicapper following a fourth place finish at Bath last time out despite going off the 11/8 favourite, but he is just 4lbs higher now than he was when winning a Class 5 race over this course and distance two starts ago.

Megalala hasn’t won a race in a year despite running in 13 Class 4, 5 and 6 handicaps since, although he was beaten by a neck on his last start at Newbury.

The two will jostle for favouritism as the race approaches but Penang Cinta should be strongly supported with his winning form from a month ago, and he looks the pick of the paddock.

7.05 Newton Abbot: Al Qeddaaf – 9/4

This Class 3 Novices’ Chase looks one very competitive race on paper and so it’s a surprise to see four of the writers, including two of the top five in the competition, nap Al Qeddaaf.

He defeated Postolet Noir in his only start over fences despite his rival going off the odds-on favourite and following a promising hurdle career, there are high expectations in the Donald McCain yard.

However Wakeboard is searching for a hat-trick of wins over fences and useful hurdler Rio Gael impressed when winning his first start over fences at Fakenham.

Verdict: Watch and learn as these look exciting future chasers.