Somerville Lodge sends one runner to post on Thursday – Palace Artois contests the 6 runner 1m fillies maiden the 5.10 at Southwell.
Although well beaten on both starts she did run with promise last time, in what looked a better race than today’s, when she was noted staying on well inside the final furlong. All six fillies are unexposed, although the Andrew Balding filly Zeriya makes her debut with Shane Foley traveling from Ireland to Southwell for his only ride on the card.
By Too Darn Hot – Zeriya is related to the Australian Group 1 winning filly Zeyrak and I expect her to go off favourite if she has shown any sign of promise at home.
Palace Artois is a No Bet – but hopefully she will continue her improvement and get a relatively low handicap mark that she can work forward from.
A further look at the AW Championship card on Friday and Haggas has confirmed all three entries with First Principle added to our Ante Post gambles on Dramatic Star and Wiltshire.
In terms of draws and pace forecast everything has gone to plan including for First Principle in the 1m Championship Race at 3.00.
This is a tough contest with many contenders that will run in the top 1m handicaps on the Turf as the season progresses, but on Friday, looking to take advantage of prowess shown on the AW surfaces.
First Principle has a rating on a par with all the leading fancies but has to be worth an interest given for the first time in his career he will get too run off a strong pace from the start of the race. Even in the races he has won he has been forced to sit on or near the front of the gallop due to their being no pacesetters – that will not be the case on Friday and he could well improve 4 or 5lb for being able to settle better. I have a slight doubt that the straight mile will suit him and therefore recommend a 1/2 pt each way bet 1-4 places at a best price of 11/1 with Ladbrokes.
The bets on Wiltshire at 20/1 and Dramatic Star at 10/1 now look good value with Wiltshire as low as 12/1 and Dramatic Star well backed as low as 5/1 although still 15/2 in places on Wednesday afternoon, in the 2m contest with only 12 going to post.
Followers were told to be on the look out for these bets well before entries were made and it is a case of so far so good.
As with all Ante Post gambles the proof that it is a good bet rests with the final outcome. Win or lose it promises to be a great watch.
The yard send AW stalwart Carbine Harvester to contest the 6f Vase Sprint the 2.40 at Lingfield.. Well drawn in stall 3 and with leading apprentice Jack Callan taking off 5lb there is every chance the 4yo could bounce back to form at a track he always runs well over.
However, he has been a shadow of his former self in his two outings this year and his mark of 88 looks too high. Callan’s claim may help but I need to see him run better before contemplating him as a betting opportunity.
REFA Hag Tag April 2026.
Chrysalis Consortium 
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