14:00 Newmarket

Saturday 23 September 2017

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

International Stud Book Committee Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 2m 6.91s

(5)

Crowned Eagle⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 95| D

5/2

Won twice before an ambitions tilt at the Derby (well beaten) and also struggled in a Group 3 over 1m5f here last time. Drops in trip and grade after being gelded, so of obvious interest, but there to be shot at.

Form: 331-107

(4)

First Nation¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 95

3/1

Just the one AW win to his name but has been running well in some hot handicaps this season, going down by only 3L to Duke of Bronte over 1m4f at Ascot (soft) despite not getting the run of the race. Solid claims.

Form: 202245

(8)

City Of Joy²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Ted Durcan| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 94

9/1

Opened up this season with successive 1m handicap wins but has struggled to make an impression in more competitive events since, though a decent fifth at York last time. May have improvement in him over this longer trip.

Form: 0-11005

(6)

Apex King¹³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 94

14/1

Came good with last-gasp wins at both Ascot and Newmarket as a juvenile but hasn't quite kicked on as expected this year, finishing down the field in two Listed events. Something to prove on his first handicap start.

Form: 7114-55

(2)

Ay Ay⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: T P Queally| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 87

25/1

Became a shade disappointing on the AW after a winning debut but better signs when a close-up fifth on his turf debut here (1m2f, good to soft) on the July course. Couldn't back that up next time so questions to answer.

Form: 1-24655

(1)

The Statesman³^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Manuel Fernandes⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

10/3

Frustrating for Aiden O'Brien and Jamie Osborne but won for this yard at Sandown (1m1f, good to firm) and again on the same track over 1m2f (good) earlier this week. Respected under a 6lb penalty but would need a career best.

Form: 176321

(3)

Monticello²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85

16/1

Winner of his first two races as a juvenile but has drawn a blank in 10 subsequent starts, despite finishing a good second in successive 1m2f handicaps here at Newmarket during the summer. Abject subsequent efforts temper enthusiasm.

Form: 322007

(7)

Harbour Rock¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81

10/1

Broke his maiden over 1m at Goodwood (1m, good to firm) in June and has produced three solid subsequent efforts in handicaps since, most recently when touched off over 1m2f at Lingfield. Same mark here, should remain competitive.

Form: 42-1222

Forecasts

Crowned Eagle (5/2), First Nation (3/1), The Statesman (10/3), City Of Joy (9/1), Harbour Rock (10/1), Apex King (14/1), Monticello (16/1), Ay Ay (25/1)

It wasn't that long ago that Crowned Eagle was deemed good enough to warrant a tilt at the Derby, so he could prove a cut above back in a handicap but there is enough of a doubt about him to take him on, with FIRST NATION a viable alternative. Charlie Appleby's colt has been holding his own in some deeper handicaps than this and the return to 1m2f could see him resume winning ways. Conversely, the step up in trip should see City of Joy in a better light and he also merits consideration.