15:30 Newbury

Saturday 21 September 2019

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Dubai Duty Free Handicap

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 2m 5.02s

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(13)

Gibbs Hill¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 105| D

12/1

Returned to form on his second start off the back of a long absence when fourth in a top-class handicap (1m4f) at York's Ebor meeting. Far from disgraced in an AW Group 3 last time again over 1m4f (made a big forward move); capable from this mark.

Form: 131/P48

(7)

Forest Of Dean²⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 100| D

13/8

On a real upward curve this year landing his fourth win last time in a competitive York handicap (1m2f) with several of these rivals toiling in his wake. Capable of plying his trade at a higher level and unlikely to be hindered by the 5lb penalty.

Form: 121411

(10)

Rise Hall^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: M Meade| OR: 99| D

8/1

Successful twice in handicaps this year at up to 1m2f (holding form well); shaped as if still in good form last time when fourth to Forest Of Dean at York. Didn't quite have the run of the race there (took a while to hit full stride); worthy player.

Form: 6-12214

(5)

Johnny Drama²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| D

11/1

Resumed the progress that he showed for Ger Lyons earlier in the year of late with two encouraging handicap efforts over today's trip. Unfortunate to bump into Forest Of Dean last time at York, may benefit from a return to 1m4f, still on handy mark.

Form: 2-11062

(8)

Victory Command²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Connor Beasley| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

33/1

Always seen to bet effect under forcing tactics (won twice in that manner this year); rather summed up by his mark now though (handicapper looks in charge). Work to do with Forest Of Dean on York form; looks vulnerable to improving sorts.

Form: 454154

(4)

Caradoc²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: E Walker| OR: 95| BF| D

5/1

Improved with every run this year producing a career-best in defeat last time at York when third over 2f further. Already a dual handicap winner over 1m2f this year he doesn't as yet look fully exposed, should be involved even off career-high mark.

Form: 2-51413

(6)

Hyanna²¹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 90| D

20/1

Gained her second handicap win of the year at Sandown last time (reward for some consistent efforts) beating Migration by a neck over this trip. Faces a stiffer task in a deeper race and under a 5lb penalty; hard to see her being good enough.

Form: 323361

(12)

Exec Chef⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 94| CD

12/1

Rattled up a quick hat-trick last year (including two course wins, one at this trip); failed to score this year despite being well fancied on occasions. Majority of his efforts have been creditable; chance may have slipped away for now at this level.

Form: 423407

(1)

Great Example^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 96| D

10/1

Dual scorer this year with his handicap win coming in good style at Nottingham (1m2f, soft), race did look on the weak side for the grade. Progressed again when second in a small-field handicap last time (up 6lb); cheekpieces on, faces stiff task.

Form: 631412

(9)

Oasis Prince²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J P Spencer| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| BF

33/1

Consistent sort this year (already clocked up four wins, last two in handicaps); best performance coming a Yarmouth in June over 1m off a 5lb lower mark. Kept busy since, hasn't run badly but more required here, others appeal far more.

Form: 316233

(11)

Migration²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 94| BF| D

10/1

Adds to the strong hand the 3yo's already hold having won twice already this year with his best winning performance coming at Sandown last month (1m2f). Beaten by Hyanna over same C&D last time off 6lb higher, fancied to reverse that form.

Form: 217712

(2)

You're Hired^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: M Dwyer| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 87| D

33/1

Frustrating sort; filled the runner-up spot four times in a row now with the latest effort coming at Salisbury over this trip, off this mark. This level looks beyond him now; he's been beaten several times off this mark in the past couple of years.

Form: 362222

(3)

Freerolling¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Charlie Bennett| T: C Fellowes| OR: 85| BF| D

50/1

Only made his debut this year as a 4yo winning on his debut on the AW over 1m2f. Respectable efforts since especially in handicaps off this mark in his last three starts; qualified for lesser handicaps than this, faces a fairly tough task.

Form: 133354

Forecasts

Forest Of Dean (13/8), Caradoc (5/1), Rise Hall (8/1), Great Example (10/1), Migration (10/1), Johnny Drama (11/1), Gibbs Hill (12/1), Exec Chef (12/1), Hyanna (20/1), You're Hired (33/1), Oasis Prince (33/1), Victory Command (33/1), Freerolling (50/1)

The manner in which FOREST OF DEAN put paid to several of these rivals at York last time suggested that he could be far better than a handicapper and even at the revised weights his rivals on that day Johnny Drama, Rise Hall and Victory Command all have a difficult task to reverse the form. The first two of that trio would have sound each-way chances although the main dangers looks to appear in the shape of Migration and Caradoc. The former may have got to the front too soon last time when just touched off by Hyanna whilst the latter has improved with every start this year and still looks unexposed.