Timeform UK SmartPlays: Friday March 22

Venetia has a good chance with Bennys Mist today

With the weather wreaking havoc elsewhere, Timeform head to Newbury to bring you today's three SmartPlays...

Having won at Lingfield on his penultimate start, Double Dash produced an improved effort in defeat at Bangor last month and can continue his good run of form by landing the 14:40 at Newbury. Unlike many of his rivals, Double Dash is a reliable proposition, despite not always looking like the most straightforward of rides, and his consistency is an undoubted positive. Testing conditions will not pose any problems for the nine-year-old and his proven effectiveness over further is likely to provide an asset in this stamina-sapping ground. He should make a bold bid and is a worthy favourite in a race where many of his opponents have stern questions to answer. 

Bennys Mist sets a fair standard in the 15:50 at Newbury and it would be disappointing were he unable to register victory. The Venetia Williams-trained seven-year-old has enjoyed a productive season winning on four occasions, including twice over fences, and he was arguably a bit unfortunate not to add to his tally here last time, falling four from home when looking like a real threat. This looks like an altogether easier affair than some of the competitive handicaps in which he has been competing and he still looks favourably treated based on the best of his efforts.

As a brother to the doughty stayer Kayf Aramis, it is perhaps unsurprising that Kaylif Aramis (16:25 Newbury) was also tried over three miles at a relatively early stage of his career. However, the six-year-old gelding does not appear to possess as much stamina as his older brother, instead looking a much speedier type, and the drop back to two and a half miles has reaped rewards. Nigel Twiston-Davies' charge has won two of his last three starts, finishing a close-up third on the other occasion, and the style in which he won at Uttoxeter last weekend indicates that the progressive youngster is well treated under a penalty. He steps down to an extended two miles today, but he looks to have enough speed to cope with the drop in trip and, in any case, the extremely testing going is likely to place the emphasis firmly on stamina. He holds exceptional claims today and ought to be difficult to beat.

Timeform SmartPlays:
All at Newbury

Back Double Dash @ 3.3512/5 in the 14:40 
Back Bennys Mist @ 2.526/4 in the 15:50
Back Kaylif Aramis @ 3.55n/a in the 16:25

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