3.45 Newmarket, Friday, October 9

The Vision Old Rowley Cup (3.45) at Newmarket on Friday may not throw up any “Future Champions” but does, at least, allow us to have a crack at a 16-runner, 3-year-old handicap featuring several unexposed types.

The one we really like is Al, a Halling colt trained by Luca Cumani. He was far from disgraced when seventh of 18, beaten 4½ lengths, behind Polarisation on his first attempt over 1 mile 6 furlongs at York in August, but may be better judged on his 7-length defeat of Deep Blue Diamond over 1 mile 4 furlongs on the July Course at Newmarket the previous month. He remains 12lb higher in the weights, but his York form suggests he’s far from impossibly handicapped and he can resume winning ways.

Silvestre De Sousa has ridden three winners from eight rides for Luca Cumani during the last five seasons, so his booking can only be viewed as a positive. In fact, in the time it’s taken to write this article, Al has shortened from 14/1 to 12/1, so we’re increasingly confident that we’re barking up the right tree.

Selection: Newmarket 3.45 Al (12/1 with Boylesports, Sporting Bet, Bet Victor and Paddy Power) to win