15:20 Newmarket

Saturday 14 July 2018

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2015:5516:30

bet365 Mile Handicap

Off time: 15:27 | Winning time: 1m 38.27s

(8)

First Contact²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 100

4/1

Won two of his four career starts and impressive when winning at Doncaster on his third outing. Far from disgraced at Royal Ascot last time out when 11th of 30 and should be capable of more progress.

Form: 1210

(7)

Curiosity²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: G Mosse| T: H Palmer| OR: 96

9/2

Won twice as a juvenile and produced a career best by some distance when an excellent second of 30 at Royal Ascot with some of these in behind. Given a real chance from the handicapper just up 3lb for that effort.

Form: 1167-22

(9)

Moqarrab¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: George Wood| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 95

6/1

Plenty of promise in his debut here on the Rowley Course towards the end of last year and has made light work of two AW starts since. Makes handicap debut here and expected to improve up at this trip.

Form: 41-1

(1)

Petrus^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M Harley| T: B J Meehan| OR: 95

22/1

Had some smart form to his name as a juvenile but struggling this year. Some promise in his run behind a few of these at Royal Ascot last time out but has plenty on if he's to reverse the form with those rivals.

Form: 144-680

(3)

Clubbable¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94

12/1

Likable filly who has improved this season. Only narrowly denied in Listed company last time at Carlisle and not to be underestimated in her first start over 1m.

Form: 61-1712

(5)

Ibraz²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 93| D

3/1

Improved from his debut to finish a promising third here on the Rowley Course on return this season. Has won back-to-back races since, most recently at Sandown and the runner-up has franked the form with two wins since. Should go well.

Form: 5-311

(6)

Argentello¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 93| D

5/1

Hasn't needed to improve from maiden company to win two starts at Yarmouth and Windsor. Still gives the impression he's learning on the job to some extent so can't be ruled out with more progress likely for powerful connections.

Form: 23311

(2)

Mayyasah⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

33/1

A winner on debut and not disgraced in her two subsequent runs as a juvenile but hasn't quite hit form this time around. Opposable in a race as competitive as this.

Form: 162-73

(4)

Qaroun⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 85| BF

10/1

Won his second start as a juvenile at Newbury in August. Disappointing favourite when failing in his hat-trick bid at Doncaster last time finishing last of eight but missed the break that day and he's better than that. Should bounce back.

Form: 21-18

Forecasts

Ibraz (3/1), First Contact (4/1), Curiosity (9/2), Argentello (5/1), Moqarrab (6/1), Qaroun (10/1), Clubbable (12/1), Petrus (22/1), Mayyasah (33/1)

A particularly competitive affair but it's CURIOSITY who makes most appeal after an excellent second in a competitive heat at Royal Ascot last time out and he's only been given a 3lb rise for his efforts that day. Clubbable ran well in Listed class last time and ought to be making her presence felt from this sort of handicap mark. Ibraz could be the main danger though for a yard flying at present and the form of his latest success has been done favours by those in behind since.