15:20 Newmarket

Friday 24 July 2020

All12:0012:3513:1013:4014:1514:5015:2015:55

Betford Lodge Hotel Community Support Handicap

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 2m 5.2s

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Selected odds by:

(6)

Shining Aitch²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rob Hornby| T: P J McBride| OR: 72

9/1

Improved on his novice/maiden form when a ready winner on his handicap debut at Chelmsford (1m, AW) earlier this month. Has been hiked up 9lb for that, so will need improvement, but may find some now upped again in trip.

Form: 361

(3)

Billhilly²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 72WS

4/1

Returned from a spring break to record a first win, when he scored by a neck on his handicap debut at Lingfield (1m4f, AW) last month. Matched that effort when third from this 7lb higher mark last time. Has had wind surgery since. Not ruled out.

Form: 07-413

(2)

Ice Sprite²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 70

1/1

Improved on her only juvenile performance when 3L fourth on her reappearance in a Yarmouth fillies' novice event (1m2f, good to firm) recently. Looks nicely treated for this handicap debut as a result, and no surprise if she goes close.

Form: 5-4

(8)

Frankly Mr Shankly^h⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: M L W Bell| OR: 70

10/1

Wasn't beaten far in a blanket finish on his debut at Yarmouth (7f, good to firm) last September, but has been some way below that level of form in three more starts, the latest on his handicap debut. Others preferred.

Form: 575-4

(5)

Ethics Approval¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 67

12/1

Has shown some promise on both starts so far, and is he can keep progressing then you couldn't rule him out of the money from what looks a fair initial mark. Will have a bit prove over this longer trip though.

Form: 35

(7)

Heliaebel^v1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: C Fellowes| OR: 65

18/1

Made the frame on her third juvenile start at Wolverhampton (1m½f, AW) last October, but held at Goodwood (1m2f, good to firm) on last month's handicap debut and was too bad to be true at Wolverhampton last time. Plenty to prove.

Form: 763-88

(1)

Indigo Times^h1²⁰⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Dylan Hogan⁽³⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 64

50/1

Produced three fairly similar efforts in AW maiden/novice events over 7f/1m last year. Hooded for this reappearance/handicap and turf debut from what looks to be a very stiff mark.

Form: 678-

(9)

Sea Of Marmoon⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 63| D

7/1

Improved on her juvenile form when a game winner, despite racing keenly, at Newcastle on her handicap debut (1m2f, AW) last month. Well held on turf at Yarmouth (1m6f) last time, but can't write her off back in trip and with a 3lb drop.

Form: 56-17

Non-Runners

(4)

Union Spirit⁷

Weight: 9-10| Age: 3

T: P W Chapple-Hyam J: J Mitchell

Forecasts

Ice Sprite (1/1), Union Spirit (7/2), Billhilly (4/1), Sea Of Marmoon (7/1), Shining Aitch (9/1), Frankly Mr Shankly (10/1), Ethics Approval (12/1), Heliaebel (18/1), Indigo Times (50/1)

Union Spirit arrives seeking a hat-trick, but a 6lb penalty will require further improvement from him. Similar applies to Shining Aitch, whose 9lb rise looks likely to prove tough to defy. Billhilly is another potential contender, but all of that trio may have their work cut out to prevent ICE SPRITE from making a successful handicap debut from what looks a very workable mark.