Newcastle stays at centre stage on Thursday, with the G3 Betway Pavilion S. the feature as it deviates from its traditional home of Ascot during this period of moveable feasts. Among the sprinters being aimed at the Royal meeting's G1 Commonwealth Cup or G3 Jersey S. is Earle Mack and Les Boyer's Malotru (Ire) (Casamento {Ire}), who looked a bright prospect when taking the seven-furlong Listed Spring Cup on Lingfield's Polytrack on Feb. 29. Unable to contest Monday's G2 Mehl-Mulhens-Rennen due to travel restrictions, last year's G3 Premio Primi Passi scorer has changed course. “We were planning to go for the German Guineas, but unfortunately we weren't allowed to run, so we had a discussion and were thinking of going straight to Royal Ascot,” trainer Marco Botti explained. “The horse has been so well, he's already won this year and the initial plan was to go up in trip with him to a mile but if we are dropping back, Newcastle is the track to do it. It's a stiff six furlongs there and there will be plenty of speed in the race–he's guaranteed to stay further than that.”
Attempting to give four pounds away to all is last year's G2 Norfolk S., G2 Prix Robert Papin and G2 Flying Childers S. winner A'Ali (Ire) (Society Rock {Ire}), who represents Simon and Ed Crisford. Others of note include Abdullah Menahi's Norfolk S. runner-up Ventura Rebel (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}), who returns after a near 11-month lay-off, and Troubador (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) who was a highly creditable second attempting to give the smart Summer Sands (GB) (Coach House {Ire}) nine pounds in the Listed Redcar Two Year Old Trophy in October.
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