The Bet365 Old Newton Cup Betting Analysis

The bet365 Old Newton Cup is clearly a race that Luca Cumani likes to win - he's won it three times in the last decade, including the last two renewals with Alkaased and Zeitgeist respectively - and the Italian trainer has a major chance of repeating the dose with Soulacroix, a 8/1 chance with Ladbrokes, in this year's renewal of the prestigious handicap on Saturday. Few handlers are more adept when it comes to reinvigorating horses whose form had either reached a plateau or become regressive with their previous trainer and while Soulacroix, a gelding by Kylian, wound up last season in decent form for Amanda Perrett, the manner of his comeback win in a lady riders' race at York recently suggested that he too is benefiting from the Cumani touch. Partnered by Luca's daughter Francesca, Soulacroix was given the office approaching the final furlong and without his rider having to get too serious, the five-year-old ran on nicely to score by two lengths from Thyolo. He was well on top in the end in there and given that that was his first start for eight months, there is every chance that there is plenty to more to come, therefore it would be no surprise if he made light of his 6lb rise in the weights and followed up in this Class 2 contest. Another runner of immense interest here - and also worth a punt - is Star Of Light, a top-priced 12/1 with William Hill, who has been shaping recently as though steeping up to the twelve furlong trip of this race would be very much to his liking. Brian Meehan's charge has proved most consistent over the last couple of season's on going good or faster and over a mile and a quarter but he has been outpaced over that trip on his last two starts and it's likely that the combination of this two furlong farther trip and this galloping track will suit him down to the ground. The only occasion on which he disappointed last season was when encountering a soft surface in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in October. Otherwise, he was highly progressive and the pinnacle of his campaign in 2005 was when getting on top close home to beat Blue Monday and whole host of classy handicappers in the competitive John Smith's Stakes at Newbury in September. Still open to improvement, and likely to be faced with fast going that he clearly relishes, Star of Light looks sure to make a bold bid and rates a very strong each-way punt. The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Thunder Rock was a shade unlucky in running when beaten over one length into fifth place behind Young Mick in the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last month. The son of King's Best was running on well when the door was closed on him a furlong out and he had to be snatched up, eventually doing well to finish as close as he did. This lightly-raced four-year-old is open to improvement and rates a live threat, along with I'm So Lucky and Ouninpohja. However, of the others prominent in the market Signatory is well worth opposing as he appears best on a sifter surface. Verdict: 1pt Soulacroix @ 8/1 (Ladbrokes) & 1pt e/w Star Of Light @ 12/1 (William Hill)