17:55 Newmarket

Saturday 24 June 2017

All14:1014:4515:2016:0016:4017:2017:55

Live Casino At 188Bet Handicap

Off time: 17:55 | Winning time: 1m 24.73s

(3)

High Acclaim^p³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Teal| OR: 87

9/2

Step up to a mile at Newmarket recently seemed to eke out some improvement, cheekpieces applied for first time last time out when third of five in a Doncaster handicap over 1m.

Form: 31-5533

(6)

Merlin¹⁰

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

15/8

Was runner-up twice over 1m in maidens on good-good to firm ground before getting off the mark over 6f at Nottingham, before franking the form next time out when winning a Haydock handicap, half length in front of Brogan, 10 days ago.

Form: 82-211

(5)

Textured⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 81| D

16/1

Had appeared broadly disappointing, including when well behind Flying North at Newmarket in October 2016, before landing a 7f Newcastle nursery by a short-head in November. Disappointing on seasonal debut in a Chelmsford handicap over 1m. The drop in trip should suit today.

Form: 92701-8

(4)

Anfaass²³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: G G Margarson| OR: 80

9/1

Won on second appearance in two-year-old career in a Thirsk maiden auction stakes. Finished last season finishing third of 17, beaten 1L behind recent York winner, Golden Apollo. Seasonal debut.

Form: 3163-

(2)

Farook³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 79

6/1

Cost 420,000 gns and made steady progress as a youngster last season. Couple of seconds on the All-Weather were followed by a win on turf at Yarmouth last time out over 6f on good ground in May, in a race that has seen five runners beaten. Handicap debut.

Form: 724-221

(1)

King Of Paris³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Varian| OR: 78

4/1

Only narrowly beaten on his seasonal reappearance at Brighton and last of seven last time out here in a class 4 maiden, the Exceed And Excel colt traveled well until 3f out where he lost his action following a couple of reminders and hung badly - can be forgiven that run on sticky ground.

Form: 63-27

(7)

Derek Duval^t⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 72

12/1

Won a Wolverhampton maiden (6f, AW) in March and made a good start to his handicapping career when beaten just a neck into third back over that C&D in May. Probably needed the run on his return when eighth of 13 at Sandown last week.

Form: 8-138

Forecasts

Merlin (15/8), King Of Paris (4/1), High Acclaim (9/2), Farook (6/1), Anfaass (9/1), Derek Duval (12/1), Textured (16/1)

Another difficult wide-open contest that could depend on the pace set by the Michael Bell-trained, MERLIN. The Oasis Dream-gelding won in May over 6f at Nottingham, before franking the form next time out when winning a Haydock handicap, half length in front of Brogan, 10 days ago. High Acclaim and Farook are capable of setting the pace themselves and could possible take advantage of any chinks in the amour of MERLIN. Despite his experience, King Of Paris still ran green when asked to quicken last time out and could be one for the notebooks following the race.