20:05 Newmarket

Thursday 17 May 2018

All17:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:0520:35

BestWestern.co.uk Handicap

Off time: 20:08 | Winning time: 2m 5.05s

(10)

Blame Culture¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: G G Margarson| OR: 80

28/1

Was second in three successive novices'/maiden events on the All Weather between September and April, the last of those being when upped to this trip. Soft ground and 1m3½f saw him well beaten last time, but he is considered from this mark.

Form: 822-23

(2)

Morning Skye¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 78| BF| D

6/1

Was a debut winner over this trip at Newcastle (Tapeta) in March. Well held on heavy ground next time and well supported when beaten favourite at Brighton last time. Initial mark looks no more than fair but entitled to respect.

Form: 132

(6)

Sportswriter^p,t1⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 77

15/2

Beaten a nose by Morning Skye on at Newcastle in March and also beaten just a head at Lingfield last time, finding no extra close home both times. Switches to turf/handicaps for first time with new headgear combination and should be on the premises.

Form: 722

(9)

Midnight Wilde¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: J Ryan| OR: 76

11/4

Won a Yarmouth novices' event (7f, good to firm) in August under this pilot and went very close under him on his reappearance in a C&D handicap last week, when 25-1. If he can come on for that then he has claims from the same mark.

Form: 16625-2

(8)

Shuhood²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Mathers| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74

20/1

Landed a Redcar novices' event (7f, good to soft) on his second start for Richard Hannon in November. Best handicap effort so far was his first one at Chelmsford (1m, AW) in March. Has a chance if returning to that level but has a bit to prove.

Form: 01-3360

(4)

Beringer¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M Harley| T: A King| OR: 74

13/2

Won a Salisbury novices' contest (7f, good to firm) on his second start in July. Yet to get back to that level in three further starts and has been gelded/had wind op in that time. Entitled to need reappearance and could get more competitive.

Form: 0136-7

(5)

Grandscape⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 73

16/1

Showed promise in maidens at Yarmouth and Doncaster (both 7f) last year, but 6-1 and a shade disappointing on his reappearance at Kempton in March. Since gelded and needs to raise his game as he embarks on a handicapping career.

Form: 44-8

(1)

Apache Blaze¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: R Brisland| OR: 70| D

8/1

No fluke about her 25-1 Nottingham win (1m2f, good to soft) last month, as she proved when beaten just 1¼L following a 5lb rise back there on soft ground last time. Nudged up a further 2lb here, but remains of interest with 5lb claimed this time.

Form: 86-613

(7)

Whitehall^v1³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 69

7/2

Moderate efforts in novices' events last year at 7f-1m. 13-2 for his reappearance/handicap debut from this mark at Wolverhampton (1m1½f) last month. Made late headway when never a threat there and interesting in headgear with this pilot up.

Form: 948-6

(3)

Love Rat^p1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Nicola Currie⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 68

50/1

Second in a maiden and a novices' contest at Southwell (both 1m) in January. Was 39L last of 11 on handicap debut at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) last month. 2lb lower here and cheek pieces now on, so may be able to put that behind him.

Form: 5-22430

Forecasts

Midnight Wilde (11/4), Whitehall (7/2), Morning Skye (6/1), Beringer (13/2), Sportswriter (15/2), Apache Blaze (8/1), Grandscape (16/1), Shuhood (20/1), Blame Culture (28/1), Love Rat (50/1)

An interesting contest where Blame Culture looks an obvious contender now dropped back in trip on good ground, while Morning Skye, Midnight Wilde and Sportswriter are others with claims. Apache Blaze is a filly in good form and is not ruled out but the most interesting runner is WHITEHALL, who made some good late progress at Wolverhampton on his handicap debut and gets the vote with headgear on and Ryan Moore in the plate.