17:30 Newmarket

Saturday 11 August 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Close Brothers Handicap

Off time: 17:30 | Winning time: 3m 30.55s

(1)

Percy's Word²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 91| D

9/2

Both of his successes have come on the Polytrack at Kempton, and he ran well to be second there on belated return last month. May have 'bounced' when running poorly in valuable handicap at Newbury last time, and could easily leave that behind.

Form: 1/316-20

(6)

Stanley⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 89| BF

7/2

Won a maiden at Kempton in October and gained his first turf success at Salisbury in May. No match for Mancini when second over 2m at Goodwood last time, and needs to build on that now.

Form: 21-2412

(4)

St Mary's²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| D

6/1

Generally shaping a bit better than form figures indicate this year, and creditable 2L second of 6 to Piedita at Chester (2m) last time. Bit more required to defy current mark.

Form: 627552

(7)

Its'afreebee^t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: T P Queally| T: R Spencer| OR: 86| BF| D

10/1

Well placed to win a couple of uncompetitive handicaps at Yarmouth and Lingfield last month, and again when second to Be Perfect at Doncaster last time. Handicapper may have his measure now, however.

Form: 722112

(3)

Master Archer^v²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: L Dettori| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 86| D

9/4

Broke his duck at the 16th attempt last time at Chester (2m, good to firm) in June, and again ran well when runner-up at York last time. No knocking his consistency, and one to bear in mind.

Form: 222212

(8)

Chocolate Box^p⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 85| D

10/1

Left Luca Cumani for 48,000 gns in November 2017, with new connections immediately recapturing some of that outlay with a clear-cut win at Chelmsford (2m) in March. Ran well next twice, but flopped at Newcastle last time, and risky now.

Form: 53-1430

(2)

Good Time Ahead¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mathers| T: P A Kirby| OR: 79

25/1

Better on AW, but gained belated first turf win when beating Omotesando at Chester last time. This looks tougher, and even a 2lb rise could be enough to find him out.

Form: 2-35201

(5)

Jam Session^p¹⁰³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73

12/1

Hard to know what ability remains, as he was hampered and eased off when last on belated comeback at Windsor in April. Absent since, and passed over unless the subject of significant support.

Form: 1456/0

Forecasts

Master Archer (9/4), Stanley (7/2), Percy's Word (9/2), St Mary's (6/1), Chocolate Box (10/1), Its'afreebee (10/1), Jam Session (12/1), Good Time Ahead (25/1)

A horse with nine seconds against one win in his record can never be defined as a solid betting medium, but MASTER ARCHER is in fine form at present, and looks the one they have to aim at. Percy's Word disappointed last time, but has a touch of class and will find this easier, so is suggested as the best alternative, although St Mary's comes here after a good second at Chester, and won't mind any further rain.