Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday April 15

Two of today's SmartPlays come from Newcastle

It's a trio of unexposed handicappers that we've lined up as today's SmartPlays.

The first of them runs at Windsor, in a race over their extended mile at 15:50. There are a few interesting sorts in attendance, including a handful that have changed yards. Of those, Mean It, who has transferred from Tom Tate to David Simcock, makes most appeal. His career is only two starts old, a second to Kaafel at Haydock in June followed by an easy success at the same track the following month. On both occasions Mean It travelled especially well, settling matters in impressive fashion for his win, and it's not difficult to come to the conclusion that a BHA mark of 77 underplays him; indeed, Kaafel, who beat him through greater experience more than anything else, has since won off a mark of 82. Although it's not the easiest handicap by any means, we can see Mean It proving too good for his rivals today.

Our other two SmartPlays come in the last two races at Newcastle, starting with the 17:30. Again, we're looking at one that is making its debut for a new yard, this time Dick Bos, who has transferred from Peter Chapple-Hyam to the excellent David O'Meara. Even taking aside the potentially beneficial change of yards, what Dick Bos showed on the last of three starts in 2012 is more than enough to suggest that an initial handicap mark of 80 underplays his ability by quite a long way. His win last backend at Windsor, by four and a half lengths from the now (Timeform) 93-rated Lupo d'Oro, was most impressive visually; the only caveat is that he shaped like a sprinter, so this trip of seven furlongs might be a little further than ideal. Nevertheless, given the improvement Dick Bos seemingly remains open to it's not anticipated that conditions just shy of his optimum will prevent him from defying his starting handicap mark.

We're sticking with O'Meara for our selection in the 18:00. Petrol is bred to excel at middle distances, being out of Lancashire Oaks winner Pongee, and his failure to take to 12 furlongs at the first time of asking can be quite safely attributed to him not taking to fibresand. Prior to that, Petrol had looked an improver when winning and then finishing second at Wolverhampton over slightly shorter trips and, now getting a chance over what should be around his optimum distance on turf, looks a good bet to gain his second handicap success of the year.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Mean It @ 6.86/1 in the 15:50 Windsor
Back Dick Bos @ 2.608/5 in the 17:30 Newcastle
Back Petrol @ 5.39/2 in the 18:00 Newcastle