14:05 Newmarket

Saturday 20 May 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Aspall Cyder 1728 Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 1m 38.83s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

True Statesman²³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: C Johnston| OR: 87

28/1

All-weather maiden winner at 6f who impressed when taking a 7f nursery impressively at Chester last July. Couldn't build on that in 3 subsequent starts and looks vulnerable reappearing here under top-weight in this competitive handicap. Gelded.

Form: 311003-

(6)

Acotango²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: R Kingscote| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 86| D

11/4

Showed improved form to make a winning nursery debut at Kempton in September, proving a neck too strong for the re-opposing Gulmarg. Gelded ahead of solid reappearance second at Haydock (1m, good to firm), splitting a couple of progressive types, and he's a big player.

Form: 5241-2

(10)

Chelsea Green²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: R Coakley| T: H Palmer| OR: 86

16/1

Shared the spoils in 7f Sandown maiden last summer before a good second in a C&D novice. Possibly unsuited by slow ground back here on final start of 2022 but more needed now handicapping in any case.

Form: 6127-

(11)

Just Bring It⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 85| D

14/1

After 4 months off, confirmed previous promise when landing the odds in 1m Kempton handicap in March. That form doesn't look particularly strong, though, and he failed to fire back on turf at Nottingham (8.3f, heavy) the following month.

Form: 5553-17

(1)

Gulmarg³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: S Woods| OR: 84

9/2

Held his form well in 2022, winning twice during the summer, and solid placed efforts both starts since returning to action in March, latterly third in 15-runner C&D handicap. Live each-way claims off the same mark.

Form: 2253-33

(5)

Burdett Road³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D McMonagle| T: M L W Bell| OR: 83| D

12/1

Made all when landing a 5-runner maiden at Lingfield (1m, AW) on second start for this yard in March. Subsequent sixth of 15 in a C&D handicap was no backward step and he should make his presence felt off this 1 lb lower mark.

Form: 722-416

(9)

She's Hot^t¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: P & O Cole| OR: 82

12/1

Didn't do a great deal wrong as a juvenile, hitting the target twice and runner-up on 4 occasions. Wasn't disgraced when fifth upped to 10f on return at Brighton and return to this trip no bad thing but her mark leaves little margin for error.

Form: 22121-5

(8)

Good Gracious^t1²⁰⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 80

8/1

Showed plenty of ability in maiden/novice company on turf prior to winning nursery/AW debut at Newcastle (7f) when last seen in October. More needed up 6 lb for that narrow success but she pulled nicely clear of the rest with the second and probably has more to offer.

Form: 4231-

(2)

Ceanna^h¹⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 79

18/1

Luckless sixth in a Wolverhampton novice in November and gained compensation when accounting for 12 rivals over 7f at Southwell the following month. In good hands and further progress likely upped to 1m on this turf/handicap debut.

Form: 961-

(3)

Totnes¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 76| D

7/2

Left debut effort behind when striking on return at Wolverhampton in March. Did well under the circumstances when adding to her tally at Lingfield (1m, AW) recently, and while more will be needed up 5 lb back on turf in a more competitive race, she has to enter calculations.

Form: 8-151

(4)

Yellow Lion¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 69

28/1

Appeared to take a step forward when third in a 7f maiden here last month but failed to build on that at Salisbury since and jolt of improvement now handicapping.

Form: 0-534

Forecasts

Acotango (11/4), Totnes (7/2), Gulmarg (9/2), Good Gracious (8/1), Burdett Road (12/1), She's Hot (12/1), Just Bring It (14/1), Chelsea Green (16/1), Ceanna (18/1), Yellow Lion (28/1), True Statesman (28/1)

Several to consider in this competitive handicap with TOTNES top of the list. The Kingman filly appeared to win with a bit left up her sleeve at Lingfield and this 5 lb higher mark may not be enough to stop her, provided she is able to translate her all-weather progression back on turf. The form of Acotango's Haydock reappearance effort is solid and he is greatly respected, while Ceanna and Good Gracious are also appealing.