14:35 Newbury

Friday 18 May 2018

All13:3014:0014:3515:0515:4016:1516:4517:20

Starlight Brightening Lives Handicap

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 11.08s

(13)

Amazour²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 99| D

25/1

A winner of a 7f Conditions Stakes at Newcastle (tends to go well there) in January, he probably wasn't suited by soft ground back on turf at Haydock latest, but is a versatile performer trip wise between 6f & 7f.

Form: 710-158

(8)

Ultimate Avenue^h1²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: E Walker| OR: 99| CWS

6/1

Readily won his maiden here (7f) in August 2016, and was highly tried last season running very well at Newmarket in July behind Ekhtiyaar. Gelded, hooded and has had wind surgery, so plenty of reasons for making further progress.

Form: 16/3396-

(6)

Ice Age²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 99| D

7/1

Had a massively productive campaign last season culminating with success in a valuable handicap at The Curragh in September (6f soft). Disappointing in a Chelmsford Conditions Stakes latest but has proved he also handles a faster surface previously.

Form: 113-036

(12)

Solar Flair³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: W J Knight| OR: 98| D

12/1

Not won since scrambling home in a valuable AW handicap at Kempton in April 2017 (6f), but did contest Group races such as the Chipchase Stakes last summer. Edging back down the weights.

Form: 1568-47

(10)

Global Applause²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: G Mosse| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 98| BF

5/1

Useful juvenile who appeared better for the break (form tailed off during his truncated three-year-old campaign) when finishing a close up third to Gracious John over 5f here last month. Mildly interesting upped in trip.

Form: 83/355-3

(11)

Poet's Vanity¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 96

12/1

Both of her career victories came over 7f on quick ground during her juvenile campaign in 2016. Beaten just 2L by Daban in the 2017 Nell Gwyn, but has paid the price for that effort to the handicapper.

Form: 1/3748-4

(4)

Quench Dolly²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson⁽⁵⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 93| D

14/1

A decisive winner of a competitive Class 3 Goodwood Handicap in August 2017 (5f soft) she's held her own in stronger company since. Far from disgraced in a deep Listed contest at Bath latest (Lansdown Stakes), and back to her winning mark.

Form: 4179-37

(1)

Baron Bolt¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Raul Da Silva| T: P & O Cole| OR: 92| D

5/1

9lb above his last winning mark at Chepstow in August (6f good), but remains progressive having finished a runner up on his last three starts, including on his reappearance at Newmarket (6f gd/fm) beaten just a neck by Gifted Master.

Form: 61522-2

(3)

The Daley Express¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: R Harris| OR: 92| D

12/1

In splendid form at Bath this calendar year (1,2,1) and now 6lb higher for his comprehensive beating of Belledesert earlier this month; 5½f good. Stiffer track/better race today.

Form: 469-121

(2)

Mazzini^p²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 92| D

10/1

Tends to flatter to deceive, but is a useful horse when getting his act fully together as he's shown on the AW at Newcastle, Chelmsford and Kempton. Makes his first start on turf for 12 months.

Form: 3206-45

(9)

Dark Power²²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: M Harley| T: C G Cox| OR: 89| D

9/1

Has risen steadily through the ranks (3 from 7) and represents a trainer who has his string in decent order. Just 4lb above his last winning mark, but off the track since early October.

Form: 1/51187-

(7)

Boy In The Bar¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Josephine Gordon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| CD

16/1

Beat Cliffs of Capri by 1L on his final start last season at Chelmsford in November (7f) but has been slow to come to hand on turf this season and this is possibly a shade too competitive in any case.

Form: 1631-00

(5)

Ashpan Sam^p²⁸⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 8-8| J: Edward Greatrex| T: David Drinkwater| OR: 86| D

66/1

Not the force of old, and is best suited to Epsom in any case (his last three victories have come there). Still 3lb above his last winning mark; 6f gd/fm, July 2017.

Form: 791357-

Forecasts

Baron Bolt (5/1), Global Applause (5/1), Ultimate Avenue (6/1), Ice Age (7/1), Dark Power (9/1), Mazzini (10/1), The Daley Express (12/1), Poet's Vanity (12/1), Solar Flair (12/1), Quench Dolly (14/1), Boy In The Bar (16/1), Amazour (25/1), Ashpan Sam (66/1)

A very competitive contest and a race to savour. Baron Bolt continues to find extra improvement with each and every racecourse appearance and he went down on his sword behind Gifted Master at Newmarket earlier this month, so is massively respected under very similar conditions. Both Global Applause (trip) and Ultimate Avenue (gelded/hood/wind) could rate as potential each-way plays, but we'll take a chance on the reliable filly QUENCH DOLLY. She sits on her last winning mark (93), stays this 6f trip and ran well when finishing seventh to Mrs Gallagher/Mabs Cross in the Listed Lansdown Stakes at Bath last month.