15:00 Newmarket

Wednesday 19 April 2017

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 51.27s

(7)

Abdon¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 109

7/1

Won a Class 2 Handicap at Goodwood last year but struggled upped in class in pattern company. Perhaps not the most straightforward character and he may struggle in this kind of company again.

Form: 1/28134-

(5)

Autocratic¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 102

11/2

Won Class 2 Handicap at York on his final start of the season but the form of that race doesn't look particularly strong. Well suited by fast ground and he's gone well at this track before so not completely ruled out but he certainly needs a good chunk of improvement to figure.

Form: 421201-

(6)

Bravery¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 105

12/1

Fine winner of a particularly competitive Lincoln at the start of the month and not impossible there's more to come for this yard, now he's found his form again. Has a bit to do on official figures but he has race fitness on his side above many of these and should go well.

Form: 0540-17

(3)

Folkswood^p⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 112

5/2

Narrowly denied in a Group 1 contest on Super Saturday at Meydan and won a valuable handicap at that course earlier in the season. Appears to have improved plenty over the winter, goes on this ground and should be sharp enough to take this after his exploits in Meydan. Trainer had two winners here yesterday.

Form: 32-2122

(8)

Spark Plug^p²⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: J Fortune| T: B J Meehan| OR: 112

11/2

Won the Cambridgeshire over C&D at the end of last season and well suited to fast ground but has struggled when upped in class before and needs everything to drop right for him to be in with a chance of gaining Black Type.

Form: 02541-3

(4)

Steel of Madrid¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 106

10/1

Won a Listed contest here at the start of last season and yard have started this year with a bit of a bang but this colt doesn't appear to be the most consistent sort and he needs to have improved for his break this winter. One that needs everything to fall right if he's to get his head in front.

Form: 46557-1

(2)

Viren's Army^p⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 111

7/2

2016 Dee Stakes winner who has wintered in Dubai after leaving his previous trainer Richard Hannon for £700,000. Narrowly got the better of Linguistic in a Listed contest at Chester last May and fit from his exploits in Meydan where he won a 1m2f contest, so plenty to like about his chance for a trainer who had winners here yesterday.

Form: 13/31-01

Non-Runners

(1)

Berkshire¹⁵⁸

Weight: 8-13| Age: 6

T: P & O Cole J: Jim Crowley

Forecasts

Folkswood (5/2), Viren's Army (7/2), Spark Plug (11/2), Autocratic (11/2), Abdon (7/1), Steel of Madrid (10/1), Bravery (12/1), Berkshire (16/1)

Charlie Appleby had a fine day at this course yesterday and he returns with FOLKSWOOD and Viren's Army who have both had successful winters out in Dubai. The former looks to still be improving and clearly thrives on fast ground. The latter's best efforts have come in slightly softer conditions, but he could still go well and connections will be hoping he can repay some of their investment. Bravery looks like a solid each-way option after his fine run in the Lincoln and entirely possible he will come on for that effort.