16:20 Newbury

Friday 18 August 2017

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5017:25

Big Group Insight Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 3.22s

(4)

Union Rose¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Fran Berry| T: R Harris| OR: 87| D

5/1

Winner at Bath on fast ground last month but seemingly struggling off his revised mark on two subsequent starts. Has won off higher marks than this in the past on soft ground and can't be ruled out if he bounces back.

Form: 807147

(6)

Storm Over⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 86| D

13/8

Improving sort who arrives here in a hat-trick bid after winning both his starts to date at Redcar and Wolverhampton. 12lb rise for his latest success looks a little over the top though and will need to improve again in what looks a deeper contest.

Form: 1-1

(3)

Ladweb⁶⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: George Buckell⁽⁵⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 83| D

9/1

Enjoys cut in the ground but has always struggled off marks this high in the past and he's up against some improving types here.

Form: 1408-27

(1)

Erissimus Maximus^b²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 82| D

11/2

Back on the scoresheet at Yarmouth last time with a game effort but he was all out to win that day and may struggle off a 3lb higher mark in different ground.

Form: 134721

(8)

Under The Covers⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S Hitchcott| T: R Harris| OR: 78

20/1

Firm ground winner at Bath in June and only just denied in follow up bid next time. Struggled in softer conditions at Brighton last time though but trainer does well with his sprinters and she can't be completely dismissed.

Form: 548120

(7)

Madame Bounty³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jenny Powell⁽⁵⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 77| CD

3/1

Maiden winner over 6f at Windsor in June and followed up on handicap debut over C&D two starts back. Disappointed when turning out under a penalty six days later but interesting back over 5f back here if she handles the soft ground.

Form: 332-117

Non-Runners

(2)

Foxy Forever²⁸

Weight: 9-10| Age: 7

T: M Wigham J: David Probert

(5)

Crosse Fire²

Weight: 8-10| Age: 5

T: S Dixon J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Storm Over (13/8), Madame Bounty (3/1), Foxy Forever (9/2), Union Rose (5/1), Erissimus Maximus (11/2), Ladweb (9/1), Under The Covers (20/1), Crosse Fire (20/1)

Course and distance winner, MADAME BOUNTY, may be the one worth siding with if she handles the softer conditions. Storm Over is still entirely unexposed and arrives bidding to defend his 100% record; it'll be interesting to see whether he can handle the softer ground he will encounter here. Ladweb is one who is sure to appreciate conditions and he may be able to run into a place off what looks like a stiff mark.