17:20 Newbury

Friday 18 May 2018

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

Starlight Happy Memories Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 2m 9.07s

(3)

Tripartite³¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: P W Middleton| OR: 74| D

10/3

A winner on quick ground at Lingfield (1m2f) in June 2017 for previous trainer Jeremy Gask, he races from a 5lb higher mark here having been acquired for 45,000 gns in July 2017.

Form: 082314-

(1)

Ashazuri^h⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Burns| T: J G Portman| OR: 67| D

7/2

Runs under a 6lb penalty for last week's 1m2f Class 6 handicap victory at Lingfield (1m2f good). Not totally proven over this trip on a stiffer track.

Form: 374-721

(7)

What A Welcome¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Tyler Saunders| T: P R Chamings| OR: 72| D

4/1

Unbeaten in two starts since introduced to handicap company at Lingfield in November (1m2f). Stays further and is just 5lb above his last winning mark, but has to prove he's equally proficient on turf.

Form: 00511-

(5)

Boycie^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Emma Taff⁽⁷⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 71| D

4/1

Not really kicked on since being gelded, but is a five-time career winner and has no issues with ground/trip; now 5lb lower than when winning at Sandown in May 2017.

Form: 087-366

(6)

Jack Of Diamonds^p⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: Ben Sanderson| T: R A Teal| OR: 69| D

33/1

Best on the AW (8 from 49), compared with just 1 from 31 on turf. Races from what in theory looks to be a competitive mark, but no real encouragement offered from his three runs in 2018.

Form: 231-789

(2)

My Illusionist¹⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Rhiain Ingram| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 67

20/1

Runner up in a 1m3f Kempton maiden in October, but didn't really set tongues wagging over longer trips subsequently. Now 0 from 10 career, but not wholly exposed on turf after just a single start (poor run).

Form: 593249-

(4)

Maroc^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S J Cummins⁽³⁾| T: Mrs N S Evans| OR: 67

9/1

Long-standing maiden who appeared to be totally unsuited by hurdling over the winter months. Dropped 3lb following a modest effort back on the Flat at Windsor (heavy) in April on his first start since wind surgery.

Form: 43224-5

(8)

Born To Please¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Darragh Keenan| T: M D I Usher| OR: 62| D

12/1

Appears to appreciate some dig in the ground, again giving that impression when scoring with ease on heavy ground at Salisbury recently (1m2f); raised 8lb.

Form: 18263-1

Non-Runners

(9)

Flying North⁷

Weight: 10-1| Age: 4

T: R Hannon J: Non Runner

(10)

Rayaa²

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: M Appleby J: Kevin Lundie

Forecasts

Flying North (3/1), Tripartite (10/3), Ashazuri (7/2), What A Welcome (4/1), Boycie (4/1), Rayaa (11/2), Maroc (9/1), Born To Please (12/1), My Illusionist (20/1), Jack Of Diamonds (33/1)

A number of last time out winners in the line up with trainers no doubt thinking of recording further success and then escaping a penalty for the future. Born To Please and What A Welcome have some question marks against their names on a fast racing surface, whilst Ashazuri isn't a bona-fide 1m2f horse. Therefore, in a contest where none of the others make any significant appeal, the returning stable debutante TRIPARTITE is a token selection. He cost 45,000 gns from Jeremy Gask in July 2017 and generally goes well over this trip on quick ground.