Catching Pigeons gossip column for the weekend

3.35 Newmarket Saturday - Wichita (each-way)

Pinatubo will be very hard to beat in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas but there is plenty of value to be had in some of the opposition and my pick for a place at least is Wichita. He was one of the market leader's principal victims in last season's Dewhurst Stakes on this course last October. Thought by Coolmore to have the best chance of ending the Godolphin flyer's unbeaten record as a juvenile, Wichita seemed to feel the effect of having three races within a month on what looked to tiring ground.

Although stablemate Arizona finished in front of the selection and looks O'Brien's primary pick from his four runners this time around, Wichita has been working very well and the booking of Frankie Dettori is eyecatching to say the least.

1.15 Newmarket Saturday - Count D'Orsay

Count D'Orsay did very well for Tim Easterby after his arrival from Charles O'Brien last summer and he can add to his three successes for the stable in the Win Bigger on the Betfair Exchange Handicap. The four-year-old's rating moved from 76 to his current 96 with some fine performances but he looks the type to improve further and is fancied to see off the attentions of Andrew Balding's Stone Of Destiny.

5.20 Newmarket Saturday - Romero

Romero may ultimately be more effective over seven furlongs but he still rates an each-way interest in the Ryan Moore Columns On betting.betfair Handicap. Well-backed when making a winning debut at Doncaster just over a year ago, he tackled pattern company on his only other start but failed to reproduce his home form when a well beaten fifth to Siskin at The Curragh in June. He reappeared in a conditions event at Newcastle back in February and ran a fine race after his long lay-off until tiring in the closing stages. His prep work has been of a high order and he tackles his first handicap with a workable mark of 85.

5.55 Newmarket Saturday - Nate The Grate

Nate The Grate was a smart two-year-old for Archie Watson and looks worth taking a chance with on his first appearance for Balding in the Trade On Betfair Exchange Handicap. Although his second campaign was a little disappointing after tackling Classic trials on each of his five outings, he looks the type who may benefit from a long break and change of scenery. If he were to recapture his best form he looks well weighted for what will be his first appearance in a handicap.

1.50 Newmarket Saturday - Shades Of Blue

Shades Of Blue was not only a very consistent three-year-old sprinter last season, she wasn't too far off the best of her generation. She looks to have continued to progress in readiness for her second season and is fancied by the Clive Cox team to make her presence felt in a very open Betfair Supports Racing Welfare Palace House Stakes.

2.40 Newcastle Saturday - Withhold

It may pay to take a chance with Withhold on his return to action in the Group Three Betway Sagaro Stakes at Newcastle. Although only lightly raced for Roger Charlton, the seven-year-old has been a grand servant, winning on his comeback both in 2018 and 2019.

He deserves a success at this level after capturing both the Cesarewitch and tNorthumberland Plate. Although well beaten in the great clash between Kew Gardens and Stradivarius at Ascot last October, he ran a decent race considering he was hanging badly for most of the race.

The return to a left-handed course and the scene of one of his most memorable wins should suit and the fitting of blinkers for the first time, plus the 3lb he receives from the very well fancied Ispolini and Royal Line, should also help.

6.30 Lingfield Saturday - Good Time Charlie

Good Time Charlie can also strike for Cox in the Betway Casino Handicap at Lingfield. The best of three relatively low key efforts so far came at Chelmsford on his latest start in January and he has undergone surgery to improve his breathing and a gelding operation since. He looks to have improved for the veterinary interventions judged on his most recent homework.

3.35 Newmarket Sunday - Quadrilateral

It is a year or two since Charlton won a Classic but he has a fine chance to end his lengthy wait with Quadrilateral in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday. Preparations have been far from straightforward for trainers during these troubled times but the Beckhampton trainer has kept his eye firmly on the ball and has the unbeaten daughter of Frankel in fine shape for her big day.

He was not supposed to have a prep run even before his hand was forced by Covid-19 and Quadrilateral deserves her prominent market position after her win here in the Fillies Mile last season.

Responsible gambling

We are committed in our support of responsible gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.

Sky Bet's responsible gambling tools are detailed here and if you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, or visit begambleaware.org.

Further support and information can be found at GamCare and gamblingtherapy.org.