17:55 Newbury

Thursday 6 July 2017

All17:5518:2519:0019:3020:0520:3521:05

Frontier Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:56 | Winning time: 1m 1.38s

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(11)

Major Valentine³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Ben Robinson⁽³⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 71| D

11/2

In the form of his life, rattling off a hat-trick in March/April, then going close at Nottingham, before regaining the winning thread at Bath (5f, good to firm) last month. Mark hasn't shot up all that much so remains one for the shortlist.

Form: 411131

(9)

Swanton Blue⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Rossa Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 70

2/1

Opened his account on the AW last year and began this season with a front-running win over 6f at Salisbury (good to firm). Lost nothing in defeat when just edged out over 6f here (good to firm) last week but has never won over 5f.

Form: 316-132

(7)

Babyfact²³

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Katherine Begley⁽³⁾| T: M S Saunders| OR: 70| D

10/1

Goes best at Bath (four wins there) but has been well-held twice since notching her latest success, most recently when only ninth of 12 at Salisbury over 6f (good to firm). Won't mind the drop to 5f but looks vulnerable off this mark.

Form: 0-73159

(5)

Madame Bounty³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Jenny Powell| T: E Walker| OR: 72

4/1

Lightly-raced filly who deservedly opened her account when making all in decent fashion over 6f (good to firm) at Windsor last time. Opening handicap mark doesn't appear unreasonable and no surprise if mounting a strong bid.

Form: 7332-1

(6)

Prominna⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 61| D

33/1

Was returning from 14 months off the track when finishing third over 5f at Lingfield (good) just over a month ago. Looks feasibly handicapped on that evidence but yard is struggling for winners right now.

Form: 32/513-3

(1)

Lightoller^b¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K A Quinn⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 65

17/2

Finally broke his maiden at the 16th attempt when winning a four runner contest over an extended 5f at Bath (firm) last month. Edged out off a 4lb higher mark at Windsor (5f, good to firm) latest and raised a further 2lb.

Form: U24512

(10)

Our Lord¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: M J Attwater| OR: 59| BF| D

8/1

A winner for Bill Turner who has started out well for this yard, going close in 5f handicaps at Bath and Chepstow (both good to firm) last month. No obvious reason why he shouldn't again make his presence felt.

Form: 5154-42

(2)

Hurricane Alert¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: M R Hoad| OR: 55| D

25/1

Competitive in all starts this season but remains hard to win with, having notched a sole success from 27 attempts at Yarmouth (good to firm) in April. Capable of featuring but always likely to bump into something better handicapped.

Form: 421624

(4)

Deer Song¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: J J Bridger| OR: 55| BF

33/1

Went close to causing an upset from out of the handicap at Goodwood (6f, good) in May but last of six when made favourite to follow up at Brighton. It's now 31 races without a win so not one to place maximum faith in.

Form: 870326

(3)

Lucky Clover^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Georgia Cox| T: M S Saunders| OR: 53| D

20/1

Gained the last of her four wins over 5f (good to firm) 13 months ago from a higher mark but hasn't quite fired in three runs this season, though signs of improvement at Bath last time. No forlorn hope if putting best foot forward.

Form: 868-005

Non-Runners

(8)

Jashma⁸

Weight: 9-8| Age: 3

T: R Hughes J: Finley Marsh

Forecasts

Swanton Blue (2/1), Madame Bounty (4/1), Major Valentine (11/2), Jashma (6/1), Our Lord (8/1), Lightoller (17/2), Babyfact (10/1), Lucky Clover (20/1), Hurricane Alert (25/1), Prominna (33/1), Deer Song (33/1)

JASHMA has burnt a few fingers since winning at Bath in May, including when beaten at odds-on at Bath latest, but Richard Hughes' gelding hasn't done a lot wrong and this drop in grade represents a chance to resume winning ways. That said, recent winners Major Valentine and Madame Bounty are obvious dangers in their current mood along with recent course runner-up, Swanton Blue.