18:45 Newmarket

Sunday 18 May 2025

All15:4516:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:45

Sky Bet Club Fillies' Handicap

Off time: 18:45 | Winning time: 1m 38.1s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Saariselka¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 83

10/3

Finished ahead of a couple of next time out winners when runner up a in conditions stakes at Newbury on final start of last season. Improved again when filling the same position on her return in a 7f Yarmouth handicap 17 days ago. Could be more to come with the step up to 1m expected to suit.

Form: 312-2

(4)

Naina¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 82| C

66/1

A four-time winner over 7f last season (including at this course). Subsequently struggled at Listed/Group 3 level and she fared no better back in a handicap when markedly stepped up in trip on return at this course (10f) 2 weeks ago. Beginning to look exposed.

Form: 61186-6

(8)

She's The Duchess¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 80

9/2

Justified support when making a winning debut at Newcastle (7f) in January and has progressed in two subsequent runs, going close on handicap debut when runner-up (dead-heated with Saariselka) at Yarmouth (7f). Pedigree gives hope that she'll stay 1m and she remains open to improvement.

Form: 122

(1)

Magna Grecia Star²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: J Tate| OR: 80

11/2

Built on debut promise when winning 9-runner maiden at Wolverhampton (7.2f) and confirmed that form when chasing home another fairly useful sort at Catterick (7f) last month. Needs to step forward but step up to 1m could unlock more improvement now handicapping.

Form: 312

(3)

Take A Breath¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 78| D

9/4

Bred to be useful and looks on her way to reaching that level, much improved when winning at Doncaster (1m) on handicap debut after 6 months off, showing a good attitude. She's in excellent hands and makes plenty of appeal with further progress anticipated.

Form: 435-1

(2)

Lady Manzor³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jack Dace⁽⁷⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 77

10/1

Built up a fine all-weather record of 3 wins from 5 starts, running as well as she has when landing a valuable 7f handicap at Lingfield 30 days ago, despite the runner-up getting first run. Unexposed over this longer trip on turf debut and cannot be discounted.

Form: 7-1131

(7)

Ryka²³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: H Crouch| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77

7/1

Night of Thunder filly made a winning start at Thirsk (7f) prior to finishing last in Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood (7f, soft). Conditions again a possible excuse when well held in a Haydock novice stakes (7.2f, heavy). Better ground should suit on return/handicap debut but needs to improve.

Form: 174-

(6)

Pacifist¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: N Callan| T: C Johnston| OR: 72| D

25/1

Winner of 1m maiden at Newcastle in January but has proved consistent rather than progressive over longer trips since, swallowed up late on when eighth of 10 in a 1m 2f Goodwood handicap earlier this month. Drops back to 1m but may prove vulnerable to an improving type.

Form: 62-148

Forecasts

Take A Breath (9/4), Saariselka (10/3), She's The Duchess (9/2), Magna Grecia Star (11/2), Ryka (7/1), Lady Manzor (10/1), Pacifist (25/1), Naina (66/1)

Most of these are open to improvement, including TAKE A BREATH who is bred to be useful and can progress again following a successful handicap debut at Doncaster earlier this month. She's The Duchess and Saariselka dead-heated for second over 7f at Yarmouth 17 days ago and both should have more to offer tackling 1m for the first time.