Graeme Rodway's play of the day at Newbury

Kotari

2.05 Newbury

There's a cracking card at Newbury, where there has been lots of rain and more is forecast. That should suit Kotari in the 1m5½f handicap (2.05).

He went on a rapid upward curve in the spring when putting together a hat-trick at Windsor, Salisbury and Ascot, and his best performance came in the middle leg on heavy ground. He slammed his four Salisbury rivals by ten lengths, loving the mud.

He was a beaten favourite when last seen at Epsom on Derby day, finishing only fifth, but that wasn’t a bad run as he did a lot of running to get into it from the back and was picked off by the reopposing Not So Sleepy for fourth only late. It was chasing the easy winner that cost him.

Kotari is down 1lb in the weights and promises more now that he goes up another furlong and a half in trip. He has run only twice beyond 1m2f in Britain, on his last two starts, and therefore remains unexposed. He's open to further improvement as his stamina is more thoroughly tested.

He stays two miles over hurdles, which gives further indication that he'll be well suited by further on the Flat, and Gary and Josh Moore will probably have him ready to go after 112 days off.