17:38 Newbury

Thursday 7 July 2022

All17:3818:0818:3819:0819:3820:0820:38

Pump Technology Services Amateur Jockeys' Handicap (Str)

Off time: 17:39 | Winning time: 1m 41.17s

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(3)

Fast Steps^p²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Patrick Millman| T: B R Millman| OR: 73

2/1

Very good third of 7 in handicap at Windsor (8.1f, good to firm, 8/1) 24 days ago, not ideally placed. 1 lb lower now and a bold show could be on the way.

Form: 8-00753

(1)

Sophosc⁶⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr Josh Agar⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| D

7/1

2/1, won 9-runner novice hurdle at Plumpton (15.9f, good) on NH debut 60 days ago, well on top finish. Respectable third in a Windsor handicap on latest start in this sphere and he's not without hope.

Form: 21-4233

(7)

Always Fearless^b⁶⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 67| D

18/1

Latest win at Lingfield in January. 11/1, fifth of 7 in handicap at Bath (8f, good to firm) 66 days ago. Eased 2 lb, but that is unlikely to be enough for this 5-y-o to play a leading role in this contest.

Form: 124905

(5)

Voltaic⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss S L Bowen⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 66

10/3

14/1, respectable third of 13 in handicap at Sandown (8f, good) 6 days ago. Place possibilities off the same mark here, but will probably again find one or two too good.

Form: 764203

(6)

Thrave^b¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-8| J: Miss Serena Brotherton| T: M Appleby| OR: 65| D

11/4

Creditable second of 10 in handicap (12/1) at Doncaster (8f, good to firm) 13 days ago. Leading claims here with Serena Brotherton doing the steering.

Form: 084662

(4)

Sky Blue Thinking³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr F Tett| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 62

16/1

Eighth of 9 in handicap at Bath (8f, good to firm, 12/1) 34 days ago. Others make greater appeal.

Form: 27-7758

(8)

Hot Day^p¹⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Lewis Saunders⁽⁷⁾| T: J S Moore| OR: 61

16/1

13/2, creditable fourth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (9.5f) when last seen 150 days ago. Will need to better his previous efforts on turf if he's to emerge on top here.

Form: 5184-64

(2)

Graffiti¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 10-1| J: Isabelle Ryder⁽⁷⁾| T: G Brown| OR: 67

40/1

33/1, first run since leaving Mick Channon when fifth of 7 in handicap at Pontefract (10f, good) 10 days ago. Back down in trip and looks set for another struggle.

Form: 654-565

Forecasts

Fast Steps (2/1), Thrave (11/4), Voltaic (10/3), Sophosc (7/1), Hot Day (16/1), Sky Blue Thinking (16/1), Always Fearless (18/1), Graffiti (40/1)

Preference is for FAST STEPS, who continues to slide down the weights and left the impression that he may soon come good when third in a Windsor handicap last month. Thrave is feared with Serena Brotherton aboard and on the back of a solid effort at Doncaster, for all his strike rate on turf is just 1-31. Sophosc was successful over hurdles last time out and is also worthy of consideration.