15:50 Newmarket

Saturday 20 May 2023

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

Aspall Blush Cyder Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 1m 27.51s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Witch Hunter^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 103| D

18/1

Disappointed behind the reopposing Montassib at Haydock but bounced back from that with a good second at Chester (7.5f, soft) last week, albeit helped by being held up in a strongly-run race.

Form: 720202

(7)

Montassib²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 98| BF| D

6/4

Progressive last year. All at sea on heavy ground in Lincoln at Doncaster on reappearance but quickly back on track returned to a sounder surface when eyecatching fourth at Haydock (7f) 3 weeks ago, finishing well after meeting trouble. Leading claims from an unchanged mark.

Form: 5442-04

(2)

Air To Air^t1¹³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: David Probert| T: G Boughey| OR: 94| CD

11/1

Useful handicapper who ran with credit when second of 6 at Newcastle on his latest start in January. Has a tongue tie added back on turf after a 138-day break. Can go well fresh.

Form: 10209-2

(5)

The Gatekeeper¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 94| CD

5/2

Missed 2022 but this prominent racer has made up for lost time this spring, winning at Newcastle and over C&D. Had reopposing pair Star of Orion and Persuasion behind in second/third when scoring here and should go well again.

Form: 40/1541

(6)

Star Of Orion¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 92| D

5/1

Course winner who made a solid return to action when length second to the reopposing The Gatekeeper over C&D 15 days ago. Unlikely to be much between them on revised terms. Can start slowly.

Form: 02496-2

(3)

Persuasion¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: T D Barron| OR: 87| D

15/2

No win since 2021 but he did step up a good deal on his reappearance when a creditable 1½ lengths third of 8 to The Gatekeeper (Star of Orion second) over C&D 15 days ago. Needs to build on that now.

Form: 3982-03

(1)

Chola Empire⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: L Morris| T: D M Simcock| OR: 78| BF| D

18/1

Solid record in AW handicaps to start 2023 but he does take a step up in grade on his return to turf. Others stronger.

Form: 4-51232

Forecasts

Montassib (6/4), The Gatekeeper (5/2), Star Of Orion (5/1), Persuasion (15/2), Air To Air (11/1), Chola Empire (18/1), Witch Hunter (18/1)

MONTASSIB shaped well enough when fourth at Haydock recently to think he might have more to offer again this year so he's taken to resume winning ways. The Gatekeeper and Star of Orion were 1-2 in a C&D handicap at the Guineas meeting and might be the pair to give the selection most to think about.