15:30 Brighton

Thursday 10 August 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Marathonbet Sportsbook Brighton Challenge Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:31 | Winning time: 2m 30.07s

(7)

Spinners Ball¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Mitch Godwin⁽⁵⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 80| D

9/1

Dual winner already this season, his turf success coming on fast ground, while he also won at Kempton over 1m3f since. 2lb higher here and this is more his level than at Ascot last time. Stable among the winners and he should go well.

Form: 4-31810

(12)

Prendergast Hill¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 80

7/2

Without a win for 13 months and 11 starts, though has run some very consistent races in a string of placed efforts this term. Went close again from today's mark at Doncaster (1m4f, soft) last time but goes on any ground and looks booked for another really good effort.

Form: 0-23232

(13)

Start Seven¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: D C Costello| T: J A Osborne| OR: 78

33/1

All three of his wins have been over 1m6f and he stays 2m½f, so he is going to want a strong pace here to bring that stamina into play. Has dropped back to a mark fro which he has the ability to go close, if he has the speed for this slightly shorter trip.

Form: 111248

(6)

Therthaar⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: I Mohammed| OR: 77

6/1

All Weather specialist whose four career successes have all been away from the turf. That includes last time at Newcastle (1m2f) when he scored from 3lb lower. Has gone close on turf a couple of times, though it is the trip rather than his ability on grass that is of more concern.

Form: 16-2221

(9)

Curlew River⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 80

4/1

Has so far put in one good run followed by one not quite so good, which might be offputting for some after a Leicester win last time. Carries a penalty for that and steps up in trip. Looks likely to get this far and if she can buck her own trend then she should again be on the premises.

Form: 27-171

(5)

Star Of Lombardy¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J F Egan| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 73| D

14/1

Won over a similar trip on fast ground at Epsom in July when 2lb lower, though well held on both softer ground and then the All Weather on her last two starts. Dropped 2lb since the last of those at Newcastle, but now has a bit to prove.

Form: 483137

(14)

Cotton Club²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: William Carson| T: B R Millman| OR: 72| D

8/1

All three of his turf wins have been on fast ground, so if conditions stay as forecast then that will suit and he is just 2lb higher than when winning over this trip at Salisbury in June. Was competitive from today's mark back there last time, but needs to find a bit more to win again.

Form: 457133

(8)

Sir Jack³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: C Lee⁽³⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 63| BF

6/1

Sole win came in a Leicester seller (good) in May, though he has put in three respectable handicap efforts since. Goes on any ground with good in the description, though will need to step up a bit to be as competitive in this grade.

Form: 312232

(4)

Mullarkey²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: M Dwyer| T: J R Best| OR: 72

13/2

Won a fast ground Nottingham handicap (good to firm) in April from 4lb lower but has not handled the assessor's challenges since then. Has to prove that he gets this trip and if in the sort of form of that win then he would have claims at these weights, but clearly carries risks.

Form: 231557

Non-Runners

(2)

Classic Villager²⁴

Weight: 10-0| Age: 5

T: D K Ivory J: R Winston

(10)

Inke¹⁴

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: J R Boyle J: S W Kelly

(1)

Clovelly Bay³⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: M P Tregoning J: Tyler Saunders

(3)

Sparte Quercus¹²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: E A L Dunlop J: David Probert

(11)

Foresee¹⁹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: A W Carroll J: T P Queally

Forecasts

Prendergast Hill (7/2), Curlew River (4/1), Sir Jack (6/1), Therthaar (6/1), Mullarkey (13/2), Cotton Club (8/1), Spinners Ball (9/1), Sparte Quercus (12/1), Classic Villager (12/1), Star Of Lombardy (14/1), Inke (14/1), Clovelly Bay (14/1), Foresee (20/1), Start Seven (33/1)

Few would begrudge Prendergast Hill a win after a string of good efforts and he again has claims, as does Start Seven if they go quick enough to bring his stamina into play. Sparte Quercus is not ruled out from returning to form, while Cotton Club and Curlew River each has positives, but the suggestion is joint topweight SPINNERS BALL, whose yard is among the winners and who is back at a more realistic level today.