Horse Racing: Betting Week

The racing landscape is changing like never before, and we have to move with the times. But it could be argued that it is a step backwards to see a race rich in tradition like the Rosebery Handicap being run on an all-weather surface for the first time on Saturday.

Putting Kempton's teething problems with its Polytrack circuit to one side, the Rosebery, for horses rated 0-105, now looks like another 10-furlongs handicap, albeit a valuable one, that could be run at Lingfield during the winter.

The days of the Rosebery being a vital part of the Easter programme may have long gone, but it was still a race which defined the early weeks of the Flat. After the mediocrity of midweek racing, punters need a big Saturday handicap to aim at. The Rosebery should fit the bill, but even the sponsors have not yet come up with early prices.

David Stevens, spokesman for Coral, points out that a handful of the leading contenders in Saturday's race hold alternative engagements, making early pricing up tricky. He broadly welcomed the switch to the all-weather, but added: "We will be looking closely at how the race stands up. There is history attached to the Rosebery."

Mercifully, Newbury appears to have shelved plans for another all-weather track. Their programme on Saturday week includes the Spring Cup. You can be sure there will be plenty of ante-post interest in that top mile handicap when the entries are revealed on Monday.

It is unusual to see three-year-olds beating their elders in handicaps at this early stage of the Flat season, but there have been two such winners recently. Jimmy The Guesser accounted for more experienced sprinters at Bath earlier this week, and London Express, the only three-year-old in Pontefract's High-Rise Handicap, came home by eight lengths.

London Express's win may prompt Mark Johnston, his trainer, to have a rethink as he entered his colt in error, believing the High-Rise was for three-year-olds only. There must be more in the powerful Johnston yard capable of emulating London Express.

One trainer to keep a close eye on, Flat or jumps, at present is John Spearing. Successful with Jacks Craic at Aintree, where he also went close with Hakim in the Topham, Spearing followed up with a double at Bath on Tuesday. No Worries Yet, a well-backed two-year-old newcomer, obliged and then Kayf Aramis won despite being 10lbs out of the handicap. If that is not a stable in form then I don't know what is.

A 2m Flat race held at the Curragh last Sunday could have a bearing on Monday's Irish Grand National. Banasan, trained by Michael O'Brien, who has won the Fairyhouse race three times, shaped well in fourth place on his return from a layoff. The trainer gave a similar prep run to his 1999 Irish National winner, Glebe Lad, and Banasan is worth a bet at 20-1 with Ladbrokes.

For the notebook

Redeye Special 7f Lingfield Although it required all of Jamie Spencer's expertise to get this filly home in front, there should be improvement in Redeye Special, who had won her only previous start in a Yarmouth maiden last September when trained by David Loder. Now with the in-form Michael Bell, she has begun life in handicaps from a lowly mark and, raised just 4lbs for this game victory, looks one to follow.

Zipalong Lad 2m4f Aintree

Stepping into handicap company for the first time, Peter Bowen's novice hurdler emerged with credit in finishing fourth behind Strangely Brown. He could be one to watch out for at next week's Scottish Grand National meeting at Ayr, where his stable was on the mark with Genghis 12 months ago.