16:10 Nottingham

Friday 18 August 2017

All13:3014:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

Close Brothers Colwick Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 1.08s

(13)

Desert God²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: R Hughes| OR: 95| D

18/1

Done most of his racing in India, where he enjoyed some fair success. But yet to reach the same heights in the UK. Best with some give underfoot, he should cope with the conditions but needs to improve on the form he's shown since he joined Richard Hughes.

Form: 11-7744

(2)

Saunter²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Didier Gengoul⁽³⁾| T: D Menuisier| OR: 94

7/1

Been keeping good company of late and shapes as if he can continue to pay his way. Needs to conclusively prove his stamina will hold out but is entitled to respect and worth a check in the betting despite the fact he's never won beyond 10.5f.

Form: 82-6074

(1)

Champagne Champ²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: B R Millman| OR: 90| D

10/1

Stamina and ground conditions not expected to pose any problems and will actually be ideally suited by the dropping back to 1m6f. Capable of getting involved but needs to almost match his career best on these terms.

Form: 6-23303

(12)

Sam Missile^v1⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 89

16/1

Won from a mark of 85 on the AW last winter and held his form well. Gelded during the off-season, he has returned with a similar level of form - running well in defeat in number of competitive handicaps. One to bear in mind .

Form: 24-2456

(4)

Marmajuke Bay^p³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: S J Drowne| T: M D I Usher| OR: 88

25/1

Won well at Haydock on his penultimate start and was far from disgraced at Ascot last time. Runs off the same mark her and capable of going close if posting a similar effort. Well worth a check in the betting.

Form: 1-22014

(6)

Sennockian Star⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86

25/1

A tough campaigner that still retains his enthusiasm. Been slowly upped in trip and may have a bit more to offer but needs a career best from his current mark. Trainer has always excelled with stayers, so very feasible there is more to come. Dangerous to rule out.

Form: 543392

(10)

Stamford Raffles¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Paddy Bradley⁽⁵⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 86| D

12/1

Useful stayer these days and has really thrived since joining his current trainer. Won over this trip at Haydock on his penultimate start but was held from 3lb higher last time out. The handicapper has added an pound for good measure and a big effort now required. Rider's claim may not be enough in a highly competitive race such as this.

Form: 141-212

(5)

Dubawi Fifty¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: G Lee| T: Karen McLintock| OR: 85

5/1

Unexposed in comparison to a good number of the rest, the gelding is learning his trade well and has developed into a decent stayer. Has a bit to find with Stamford Raffles on a literal reading of a previous encounter.

Form: 52214-1

(7)

Quloob³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 94

5/2

Form in maidens has been readily left behind as this fellow has answered all questions posed since contesting handicaps over 10f and a mile and a half. Upped in distance once more and a 7lb higher mark to contend with, the three-year-old faces a stiff test against his elders. And also needs to raise his game over this new trip. Reluctantly passed over in his bid to land a four-timer.

Form: 554-111

(3)

Gabrial's Star^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| D

66/1

Won over an extended 2m on the Tapeta at Wolverhampton in May but has a bit to find on these terms back on turf and possible he will have to settle for a minor role if old rival Dubawi Fifty has thrived since they last met.

Form: 814484

(9)

Ravenous²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: L A Dace| OR: 76| CD

20/1

Won this race last year from a 1lb lower mark but not added to his tally since. Latest start at Ascot was encouraging, however, and no forlorn hope on these terms. One to bear in mind for a place at a track that he obviously has an affinity with.

Form: 07-4734

(11)

Precision¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: J Quinn| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 79| D

4/1

Stepped up in trip to land his handicap debut in gritty fashion at Sandown at the start of this month. Trainer a past master with progressive three-year-olds and a 4lb higher mark may not be anywhere near enough to anchor this well-bred individual (cost €225,000 as a yearling and is a half-brother to a number Group race winners). More to come and very dangerous to ignore on these terms.

Form: 0731

Non-Runners

(8)

Airton²⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: J D Bethell J: Josephine Gordon

Forecasts

Quloob (5/2), Precision (4/1), Dubawi Fifty (5/1), Saunter (7/1), Champagne Champ (10/1), Stamford Raffles (12/1), Sam Missile (16/1), Desert God (18/1), Ravenous (20/1), Airton (20/1), Sennockian Star (25/1), Marmajuke Bay (25/1), Gabrial's Star (66/1)

A highly competitive handicap that may be turned on its head if PRECISION follows the same path as a good number of handicappers that have come through the ranks at Sir Michael Stoute's yard. The son of Galileo has bags of scope for improvement and may have plenty more to offer over this new trip. Dubawi Fifty also makes plenty of appeal, as his also on the upgrade and has untapped potential. Similar comments also apply to Quloob, who has thrived since stepping into races of this nature and is feared most. Sam Missile and last year's winner Ravenous are others to monitor for speculative each-way punts.