Timeform UK SmartPlays: Monday July 8

Monday's SmartPlays come from Newton Abbot

Newton Abbot looks to offer the best options for today's SmartPlays...

In the 15:45, a useful handicap chase over an extended three and a quarter miles, the progressive City Press is taken. A profile like his is relatively rare at this time of year, something which more than makes up for questions over stamina and jumping; that's even more so the case at Newton Abbot, which puts neither of those attributes at a premium. City Press was typically held up when scoring over just shy of three miles at Stratford last time, avoiding mistakes and getting on top from the last. That represented another jump forward in form terms, with the promise of more to come; if he delivers on that today, he would be tough to beat.

Part two of our quick-fire SmartPlays comes in the 16:15. Money for four-year-old filly Jaja de Jau would cause concern, but the percentage option is the year-older Mount Vesuvius. Admittedly still a maiden after 13 starts, Mount Vesuvius has been knocking on the door all summer, with the form of his last two starts (second in relatively strong races) offering real hope that he'll be shedding his maiden tag soon. The return to this 17-furlong trip is a slight concern, though he travels well enough over further to think that he'll cope.

Finally, we target the 16:45, another handicap hurdle. It's probably a better race than most 0-105s at this time of year, with Detroit Red being of particularly interest. A winner from a BHA mark of 104 less than three years ago, Detroit Red got back to winning ways off 85 here last time, comfortably accounting for Sure Thing. Proven over this trip and still 7 lb below her highest winning mark, there seems no reason that Detroit Red shouldn't give another very good account today.

Timeform UK SmartPlays
All at Newton Abbot

Back City Press @ 6.411/2 in the 15:45
Back Mount Vesuvius @ 6.25/1 in the 16:15
Back Detroit Red @ 4.3100/30 in the 16:45