17:18 Newbury

Saturday 20 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:18

Connect IT Utility Services Handicap

Off time: 17:24 | Winning time: 1m 10.76s

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Selected odds by:

(10)

Popmaster^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 92| D

6/1

Went without a win in 2022 but he posted some good efforts, notably when runner-up in the Wokingham at the Royal Meeting. Not at his best in couple of starts so far this spring and refitting of blinkers need to have positive effect here.

Form: 4076-90

(16)

Sir Thomas Gresham⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: S Hitchcott| T: S Durack| OR: 90| D

5/1

Lightly raced 8-y-o who has gradually worked his way back to form this spring, fourth in a C&D handicap on his penultimate start prior to a good second behind one well ahead of the handicapper at Ascot (6f, soft) 8 days ago. Possibilities from 2 lb higher mark.

Form: 42/9542

(19)

Leap Abroad^t¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Mohammed Tabti⁽⁷⁾| T: P & O Cole| OR: 88| D

11/2

Ended last term on the up, landing each of his last 2 starts and solid return to action this spring, shaping up well for a long way when fourth in 21-runner Newmarket handicap (6f) 2 weeks ago, no extra inside final 100 yds. Eased 2 lb subsequently and he's one to be interested in.

Form: 2211-44

(11)

Dig Two^b²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Ollie Sangster| OR: 88| D

40/1

Three-time winner for Hugo Palmer (also second in 2021 Windsor Castle). Solid start for present yard when third on return at Kempton (6f) in April and probably best not judged too harshly on his latest Epsom run (looked unsuited by track). Bounce back not ruled out.

Form: 0045-38

(7)

Bernardo O'Reilly²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: R Spencer| OR: 87| BF| CD

7/1

Best of those held up when fifth on return at Doncaster (6f) and right back to best when landing a C&D handicap, seen to maximum effect under a waiting ride. Clearly still at the top of his game judged on his latest Doncaster second and he's entitled to be thereabouts.

Form: 358-512

(13)

Twilight Madness²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: S Hodgson| OR: 87| D

16/1

Rattled off a quick-fire hat-trick on AW during the winter (all at 5f) and he ran well to finish close up fourth on the back of 4 months off at Epsom (5f, heavy) 25 days ago. This clearly a tougher ask but he is effective over this trip.

Form: 31114-4

(17)

Epsom Faithfull⁴³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 85| D

22/1

Successful 4 times from 7 starts during 2022. Mixed bag on all weather since the turn of the year but highlighted she's on her way back when seventh in 9-runner Lingfield handicap (6f) 6 weeks ago, running on. Just 1 lb above last winning mark now.

Form: 15-5709

(14)

Aplomb^p²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 84| D

14/1

Did his winning in small fields for William Haggas and plenty of solid efforts for present yard, shaping as if retaining his ability back from 6 months off when fifth in 15-runner C&D handicap 4 weeks ago. Comes here on an attractive-looking mark if building on that.

Form: 92360-5

(15)

Letmelivemylife³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: S Curran| OR: 83| BF

25/1

Thrived on AW for current yard, landing hat-trick of 7f handicaps, latterly at Chelmsford (7f) in April. Turned in another solid display from inflated mark when third at that venue 30 days ago but task now is to translate the improvement on to the turf.

Form: 5-41113

(6)

Amazonian Dream¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B R Millman| OR: 82| C| D

18/1

Course winner who capitalised on drop into calmer waters to resume winning ways at Bath (5.7f) last June. Below that level in 2 outings thereafter last season though, and he ran poorly back from 7 months off at Windsor (6f) 3 weeks ago. This looks a tough enough ask.

Form: 47160-4

(8)

Sir Oliver^p¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Stefano Cherchi| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 82| D

25/1

Narrowly denied in refitted cheekpieces at Lingfield (6f) on his penultimate start in April and needed no excuses when third in 4-runner Chelmsford handicap since, having gone from the front. Cheekpieces back on now but this looks a tough ask despite lower turf mark.

Form: 747-323

(4)

Magnificence^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: Brian O'Rourke| OR: 77

66/1

Displayed fairly useful form as a 3-y-o (successful over 7f) but she went the wrong way last season and yet to fire in 2 starts this spring, very well backed when well held sixth of 7 at Doncaster (7f) 2 weeks ago. Cheekpieces added to usual tongue tie here.

Form: 7707-76

(2)

Shobiz¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 77| D

8/1

Redcar maiden winner over 7f who made a successful reappearance at Goodwood (6f) last spring. Disappointed next 2 starts but highlighted his effectiveness fresh when third on return at latter-named venue 15 days ago. On a workable mark if he can back that up for yard amongst the winners.

Form: 17/196-3

(5)

Capote's Dream^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: T Ward| OR: 77| D

20/1

Prolific in 2021 but failed to add to his tally in handicaps last year. Returned in good heart this time around, 3 lengths fourth in 7-runner Goodwood handicap (6f) 2 weeks ago. Refitting of cheekpieces need to put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 5478-34

(9)

Treacherous¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: T E Whelan| T: E De Giles| OR: 75| D

40/1

Ended lengthy losing run under a cool ride at Wolverhampton (6f) in December, coming off a contested pace to lead close home. Shaped as if better for the run when fifth on return at Doncaster (6f) 2 weeks ago but others appeal more for win purposes on balance.

Form: 48741-5

(12)

Windsor Pass¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: R Ffrench| T: J Butler| OR: 73| BF

50/1

Maiden who went close to bucking that trend when runner-up on belated return/yard debut at Newcastle (7f) in March. Not quite matched that level either start on AW since and she may find a few too good returned to sprinting.

Form: 270/244

(18)

Under The Twilight¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: Greg Cheyne| T: M Blake| OR: 73| D

22/1

Dual AW winner for Tom Ward (both at 7f) and bettered opening exploits for present stable to land 12-runner Salisbury handicap (6f) 16 days ago, quickening to lead 1f out and doing it comfortably. This a much tougher assignment but 4 lb rise shouldn't prove beyond her on that evidence.

Form: 33-6461

(3)

Sergeant Tibbs⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: George Rooke| T: J L Flint| OR: 72| CD

6/1

Sole career success came on return over this C&D 12 months ago and, having fallen to a career-low mark, he ran best race for present yard when runner-up at Ascot (6f) 7 days ago, edged out late on. Up 2 lb in better race now but he's in with an each-way shout.

Form: 553-552

Non-Runners

(1)

Rolfe Rembrandt³²⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: M Scudamore J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sir Thomas Gresham (5/1), Leap Abroad (11/2), Sergeant Tibbs (6/1), Popmaster (6/1), Bernardo O'Reilly (7/1), Shobiz (8/1), Aplomb (14/1), Twilight Madness (16/1), Amazonian Dream (18/1), Capote's Dream (20/1), Rolfe Rembrandt (20/1), Under The Twilight (22/1), Epsom Faithfull (22/1), Letmelivemylife (25/1), Sir Oliver (25/1), Treacherous (40/1), Dig Two (40/1), Windsor Pass (50/1), Magnificence (66/1)

LEAP ABROAD again shaped well and highlighted he's one to be interested in when fourth in a similar big-field contest at Newmarket recently and, from a 2 lb lower mark, he could well be ready to open his account for the season. Unsurprisingly claims can be made for plenty, with Aplomb, the in-form Bernardo O'Reilly and Shobiz just a trio of others fancied to be thereabouts.