13:50 Newmarket

Wednesday 18 April 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Weatherbys General Stud Book Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 12.46s

(1)

Ekhtiyaar¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 100| BF| CD

9/2

A winner here on the July course over this trip, he disappointed on his only subsequent start at Ascot in October. May kick on this year and return to a faster surface should suit. Should run well if the race is run to suit.

Form: 1/21515-

(5)

Aeolus¹⁷³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: E Walker| OR: 100| D

7/1

Not won since landing a Group 3 in 2015 but ran some fair races last year, most notably when runner-up in the Stewards' Cup. On his lowest mark for some time and not ruled out if he's ready to go on return.

Form: 242005-

(9)

Solar Flair¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: W J Knight| OR: 100| D

12/1

Won on AW just over a year ago but lost his way a little in the summer. Ran okay on return at Kempton last month but never won with soft in the going and others may be better handicapped/more progressive.

Form: 21568-4

(15)

Shanghai Glory¹⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 99| D

8/1

Didn't get his head in front last year but working his way down to a more reasonable mark now. All four of his wins have come in similar conditions including his latest win in Listed company at the Curragh and yard are flying at present.

Form: 1/05309-

(6)

Eastern Impact¹⁸⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 97| CD

7/1

Not won since landing a Group 3 at Ascot in 2015 but finished runner-up over C&D on first turf start last seen and ran well again at York last time (denied a clear run). Likely to get his head in front off this sort of mark sooner rather than later.

Form: 270004-

(12)

Hyperfocus¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 97| BF| D

25/1

Won twice at Haydock in September but handicapper has had his say and he's been well beaten twice since, including in desperate conditions at Bath last time on first start since having wind surgery. Probably best watched for now.

Form: 46110-6

(10)

Danielsflyer²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: T D Barron| OR: 96| CD

10/1

Useful hold up performer who was a C&D winner on first start of 2017. Things didn't work out for him in four subsequent runs but he's ran well in these conditions before and worked his way back down to a fair mark.

Form: 0/10085-

(4)

Shared Equity²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 93| D

8/1

Not won since landing a valuable handicap at York in 2015 but only seen twice in 2017 and produced his best effort for some time when runner-up at Doncaster on his first start since wind surgery. Should run well if he comes on for that.

Form: 060/70-2

(7)

Boy In The Bar^p¹⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 93| D

18/1

Given a 10lb hike for winning at Chelmsford last time out. That rise looks harsh and he would probably prefer the ground faster than what he will get here.

Form: 641631-

(2)

Swift Approval^b¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 91| D

20/1

Ran well in AW Finals', despite not getting the easy lead that he needs to be seen at his best. Placed last time at Kempton, has won twice here and back below his highest winning; respected given that there's not much pace in the race.

Form: 120563

(16)

Barrington²⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: R Winston| T: M Appleby| OR: 91

12/1

Only won once in nine starts when trained by Charlie Hills and that was just his second outing in a Novice race at Windsor. Didn't place subsequently and may need a few runs for this yard before he returns to form.

Form: 603409-

(3)

Ower Fly¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 90| D

14/1

Probably better over further than this trip and only just below his career high mark. Shaped like he needed the run on yard debut last time and versatile from a conditions perspective but others look more likely.

Form: 03210-4

(14)

Human Nature^t¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Milly Naseb⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 87| D

66/1

Not won on turf since he was trained by Saeed Bin Suroor in 2015 and he's been hit and miss on AW this winter. May want firm in the going to be seen at his best.

Form: 1-56296

(13)

Mont Kiara¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Shane Gray| T: K A Ryan| OR: 87| D

16/1

Has won twice here on the July course and the first of those came off a higher mark than he's on currently. May have needed the run on his return on AW last time and not discoutned for a trainer with a good strike-rate around here.

Form: 01420-4

(8)

Rebel Surge^p¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽⁵⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 85| D

66/1

Last win came at Leicester at the start of last season and two wins from 34 career starts tells it's own story. She probably wants a little further these days and may need this run on her return to action.

Form: 494640-

Non-Runners

(11)

Naggers²⁴

Weight: 8-13| Age: 7

T: P T Midgley J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Ekhtiyaar (9/2), Aeolus (7/1), Eastern Impact (7/1), Shared Equity (8/1), Shanghai Glory (8/1), Danielsflyer (10/1), Solar Flair (12/1), Barrington (12/1), Naggers (12/1), Ower Fly (14/1), Mont Kiara (16/1), Boy In The Bar (18/1), Swift Approval (20/1), Hyperfocus (25/1), Rebel Surge (66/1), Human Nature (66/1)

A typically competitive sprint handicap to start the card. Charlie Hills won last year's renewal of this race and the Lambourn handler has started the season in fine form. He runs Shanghai Glory who is back on a nice mark and ought to appreciate conditions here. However, preference is for AEOLUS who is too well-handicapped to ignore and he ran well at Doncaster towards the end of last season. Eastern Impact is another well-handicapped sort who can't be ruled out while Swift Approval could run well, particularly if gifted an easy lead.