15:50 Newmarket

Saturday 4 August 2018

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Become A Friend Of Racing Welfare Handicap

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 1m 24.55s

(9)

Ode To Autumn^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 92

10/3

Has enjoyed a good year but that has also resulted in an 11lb rise in the weights. Can be competitive again but needs to show drop back to this trip suits and others may be better handicapped.

Form: 112424

(6)

Vitamin²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| CD

7/1

Five of her six career runs have been at this track including a C&D success. Drop back from a mile unlikely to be a problem but did look in the grip of the handicapper when well held last time.

Form: 31-0516

(1)

Citron Major²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: A Mullen| T: N Tinkler| OR: 88

9/1

Ran a decent fifth at York last time but both wins have come at 6f and remains 10lb higher than last winning mark. Others preferred.

Form: 419105

(4)

Starboy^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁵⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 88| CD

7/1

Very progressive winning three of his last four including on soft ground over this C&D last time. Equally effective on a quicker surface and up another 5lb but was very impressive and there should be plenty more to come. Looks a leading contender.

Form: 341121

(5)

Maksab²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: David Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 87| CD

15/2

Has struggled last twice off revised mark since winning over the C&D and 1lb drop in the handicap may not be enough in this company.

Form: 358146

(2)

Swiss Knight¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C O'Donoghue| T: C Appleby| OR: 85| BF

5/1

Heavy rain perhaps didn't suit when being beaten out of sight at long odds-on last time. Had previously looked smart winning over a mile so could easily bounce back for leading stable but question does remain.

Form: 2-14

(7)

Etefaaq⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 85| C

22/1

Well held in two starts this year and now makes first run since May. Questions to answer at present and needs to prove he stays this far.

Form: 8408-58

(3)

Highlight Reel^h¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 82| CD

10/3

Unlucky when not getting the clearest of runs on the AW last time and remains on a competitive mark. Could be involved but this is tougher company.

Form: 31-5063

Non-Runners

(8)

Talaaqy⁸⁶

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: W J Haggas J: Dane O'Neill

Forecasts

Highlight Reel (10/3), Ode To Autumn (10/3), Talaaqy (4/1), Swiss Knight (5/1), Starboy (7/1), Vitamin (7/1), Maksab (15/2), Citron Major (9/1), Etefaaq (22/1)

Swiss Knight bombed on his last start and while the market will be interesting on his attempt to put the disappointing run behind him, he remains hard to weigh up. It may be safer to stick with the rapidly improving STARBOY who is moving very much in the right direction and is proving hard for the handicapper to catch up with. Highlight Reel offers each-way hope for a stable going well while Talaaqy rates the main danger with further improvement expected back at this specialist trip.