19:15 Newbury

Thursday 11 July 2019

All17:4018:1018:4019:1519:4520:2020:50

Newbury Weekly News Handicap

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 2m 8.74s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(9)

Match Maker^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Doyle| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 80

9/2

Third to two useful sorts on debut but sidelined for two years after next outing. Proved he retained his old ability when winning a novice at Ayr on last month's return, and not overburdened on handicap debut. Unexposed, and dangerous to dismiss.

Form: 30/1

(3)

Escape The City¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 74

16/1

Sole win came at Redcar in 2017, and she has been below form so far this season. Not disgraced when fifth of 10 to Stormingin at Leicester last time, and while her profile is unconvincing, she's dropped to an attractive mark.

Form: 675-665

(8)

Carp Kid^p⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Finley Marsh⁽³⁾| T: J L Flint| OR: 73

10/1

Got tired in soft ground over 1½m on penultimate start, but quickly bounced back when beaten a nose by Prevent over C&D last time. Seemed to benefit from cut back in trip, and should continue to give a solid account of himself.

Form: 4-71552

(6)

Star Of War²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 82

16/1

Justified odds-on favouritism in good style on return at Kempton, but harshly handicapped on that bare form, and has made limited impact in handicaps, albeit out of her depth at Royal Ascot on latest start.

Form: 25-1240

(4)

Rhythmic Intent²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: S C Williams| OR: 81| BF

7/4

Plenty of promise in qualifying, and took form up another notch when nose second of 8 to Ragnar on handicap debut at Sandown last time. Kept on really well there, and clearly on a workable mark despite a 4lb rise. Shortlisted.

Form: 53-32

(2)

Horatio Star^p1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P J McDonald| T: B J Meehan| OR: 70| BF

11/1

Hasn't built on juvenile promise this season, and failed to justify market support when sixth of 10 to Stormingin in a 1m handicap at Leicester last time. Clearly thought capable of better, and cheekpieces reached for now.

Form: 52-846

(1)

Ambling^h⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 78| BF

7/1

In the frame twice in maidens at 1m, and had too much use made of her when third of 6 to Happy Hiker in a 1½m novice at Newmarket last time. Can do better, but opening mark sees handicapper taking no chances.

Form: 423-3

(5)

Miss Blondell²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Nicola Currie| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 67

33/1

Seemingly hard to train with big gaps in her record, but runner-up over this trip at Chelmsford in November, and would have got up in another stride. Below that form the following month, however, and not sighted since, so clearly comes with risks.

Form: 62/4274-

(7)

My Dear Friend¹⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: R M Beckett| OR: 76

12/1

Has improved for switch to handicaps/AW this year, winning by a short head at Kempton in February. Returning to turf after a 5-month break now, so market is likely to prove useful.

Form: 437-21

(10)

Starfighter¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 73

7/1

Disappointing on handicap debut at Sandown, but ran better when third to Conundrum at Leicester next time. Bit better than the result at Newmarket since, and remains low-mileage, so could still progress at this trip.

Form: 332-735

Forecasts

Rhythmic Intent (7/4), Match Maker (9/2), Starfighter (7/1), Ambling (7/1), Carp Kid (10/1), Horatio Star (11/1), My Dear Friend (12/1), Star Of War (16/1), Escape The City (16/1), Miss Blondell (33/1)

Some progressive sorts on show, but given that MATCH MAKER was running in the Chesham Stakes for shrewd connections on his second start, it's possible that the handicapper has been very lenient with his opening mark. Rhythmic Intent is progressive and went close on handicap bow so looks the main threat, although Carp Kid is in a good run of form right now, and should not be far away either.