16:45 Newmarket

Friday 8 July 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Moet & Chandon Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 57.43s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Night On Earth^p1,h²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 91| D

20/1

Four-time winner on AW upon joining present yard and solid return to turf when third behind Twilight Calls over 5f here in April. Exploits have been mixed since but best not judged harshly on latest Chester run having been parked out wide. Better showing likely.

Form: 333708

(2)

Ancient Times³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 89| D

4/1

Landed pair of 6f handicaps last year and improved further this term, landing back-to-back 5f handicaps at Doncaster/Musselburgh. Handicapper applies further pressure but he's likeable and ought to go well again.

Form: 5125-11

(9)

Dusky Lord³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 89| D

5/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who resumed progress dropped to 5f to score on return here in May, helped by track position but quickening up nicely in any case. Best excused his run in the "Dash" subsequently and he remains one to be positive about.

Form: 1147-10

(8)

Jojo Rabbit²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 89| D

18/1

Precocious dual winner as a juvenile who was winless last term but firmly back on track on return/yard debut when scoring at Nottingham (5f) in June, making all. Will find bossing this field a whole lot demanding, however.

Form: 4/2269-1

(4)

Tees Spirit¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Barry McHugh| T: Adrian Nicholls| OR: 89| D

10/3

Most progressive this term, showing bags of early speed to land the hat-trick in Epsom "Dash" early on last month. Had winning run ended in another big field event when sixth at the Curragh but no surprise to see him give another good account.

Form: 03-1116

(14)

Navello¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 92| D

11/2

3-y-o who was shaping up well prior to doubling career tally in 4-runner Chester handicap (5f) 2 weeks ago, leading inside final 1f and keeping on. 3 lb higher back in this more competitive scenario but very much of interest again.

Form: 284281

(10)

Lipsink^v³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: N Callan| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 82| D

33/1

Perked up by fitting of a visor when running out a 50/1 winner at Chelmsford (5f) in September. Only one real effort of note has followed though, albeit may be not at home on the track at Epsom early last month.

Form: 6200-00

(11)

Lihou^v¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: P D Evans| OR: 82| D

11/1

Fallen plenty in weights and duly capitalised under a forceful ride when making all at Salisbury (5f) 16 days ago. More on his plate back up in grade but he's clearly in good heart at present.

Form: 438441

(6)

Celsius⁷²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| OR: 82| D

11/1

Became increasingly untrustworthy last season but looked much more straightforward when making a winning return at Ascot (5f) in April. Up 4 lb for that success and it remains to be seen whether he's turned over a new leaf.

Form: 56946-1

(12)

Thegreatestshowman^b¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽³⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 77| BF| D

20/1

Made some late gains on back of a tardy start when seventh in Epsom "Dash" but seemingly had no excuses when 5.5 lengths third behind Han Solo Berger at Yarmouth (5f) last month. May find a couple too good again.

Form: 5-52473

(7)

Han Solo Berger^v¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: B A Curtis| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 76| CD

18/1

Dual C&D winner who was clearly lit up by first-time visor when scoring unchallenged at Yarmouth (5f) 2 weeks ago. Remains with handicapping scope and he could be worth chancing in the hope headgear has desired effect once more.

Form: 7-89031

(5)

Expert Opinion^p²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: H Spiller| OR: 70| D

28/1

Successful twice during a busy 2021 campaign and, having broke better than has been the case he ran best race for a while when second over 6f here (Rowley) in May. Similar form when second at Chelmsford (5f) since but can ill afford a slow start here.

Form: 526722

Non-Runners

(3)

Glory Fighter¹³

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: P T Midgley J: Ben Robinson

(13)

Good Luck Fox¹³

Weight: 8-7| Age: 6

T: P T Midgley J: Josephine Gordon

Forecasts

Tees Spirit (10/3), Ancient Times (4/1), Dusky Lord (5/1), Navello (11/2), Glory Fighter (10/1), Celsius (11/1), Lihou (11/1), Good Luck Fox (14/1), Jojo Rabbit (18/1), Han Solo Berger (18/1), Night On Earth (20/1), Thegreatestshowman (20/1), Expert Opinion (28/1), Lipsink (33/1)

Plenty in with a shout in the finale and it may well pay to side with 3-y-o NAVELLO. Having shaped well in a big-field Royal Ascot handicap on his penultimate start, he duly capitalised on the return to calmer waters when scoring at Chester 2 weeks ago and a 3 lb higher mark shouldn't prevent another bold showing. Han Solo Berger, who bounced back to form in a first-time visor ay Yarmouth, Epsom Dash winner Tees Spirit and Ancient Times head up the dangers.