16:10 Salisbury

Wednesday 27 June 2018

All14:1014:4015:1015:4016:1016:4017:10

Whitsbury Manor Stud Bibury Cup Handicap

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 2m 31.77s

(2)

Mandalayan⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 89

8/1

Won a Lingfield AW novice contest in February and has run well in handicap company on turf on his last two starts, latterly behind a useful sort who performed creditably at Royal Ascot. Fair claims, but high enough in the weighs.

Form: 2-1363

(1)

Burgonet¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86| C| D

11/2

Typically-progressive filly from her top Northern stable and showed real courage to complete a hat-trick over 1m2f at this venue last time. Up 2lb, but is on the upgrade and is a serious contender.

Form: 22111

(5)

Drill¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: L M Cumani| OR: 85

2/1

Off the mark at the fourth attempt when landing a Chelmsford novice contest in decent style. From a good family and just the sort his astute trainer does well with. Much respected on handicap debut.

Form: 8-321

(4)

Mekong³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 84

10/3

Won a minor event at Leicester on his seasonal reappearance and was not disgraced in a hot 1m2f handicap at Newbury last time. Step up in trip looks sure to suit and he is an unexposed type from a leading stable in top form.

Form: 64-17

(6)

Infrastructure²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: M Meade| OR: 83

7/2

Plenty of promise in maiden company and first run in a handicap at Sandown saw him finish a good second of seven after meeting interference in running. Longer trip ought to suit and he can make his presence felt if getting a clear run this time.

Form: 6232

(8)

Blazing Saddles²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82| D

6/1

Landed a novice event at Thirsk last month and may have found 1m6½f and soft ground a tough cocktail at Doncaster on handicap bow. Drop in trip and better going should help and he remains an unexposed type.

Form: 3616

Non-Runners

(7)

Technological⁴⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: G G Margarson J: T P Queally

(3)

King Lud¹⁵

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Oisin Murphy

Forecasts

Drill (2/1), Mekong (10/3), Infrastructure (7/2), Burgonet (11/2), Blazing Saddles (6/1), King Lud (7/1), Mandalayan (8/1), Technological (16/1)

A good prize at stake so it is no surprise to see a competitive line-up. Infrastructure may be a maiden, but is a talented one and the best is yet to come from him, while top-weight Mandalayan shaped well behind a progressive sort last time and is not out of it. Drill is the type of colt his yard excels with and has to be taken seriously, but BURGONET showed such battling qualities when winning over 2f shorter at this venue last time that she has to be the selection off only 2lb higher. Mekong should be suited by this step up in trip and looks a big danger.