14:55 Newbury

Friday 17 August 2018

All13:2013:5014:2514:5515:3016:0016:3517:10

Big Group Insight Handicap

Off time: 14:58 | Winning time: 2m 52.32s

(3)

Saroog⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R L Moore| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 90

7/4

Improved for the step up to 1m6f when winning a Goodwood maiden two starts back and followed up by readily taking a Sandown handicap. Up 5lb and back 1f in trip here but clearly on the up and rates a leading contender.

Form: 4-22211

(1)

What A Welcome²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Joey Haynes| T: P R Chamings| OR: 87| C

8/1

Completed a five timer between November '17 and June '18 before the streak ended with a fourth at Ascot latest. Steps up to today's trip for the first time now but must settle better if he is to stay and hard to think he's still well handicapped.

Form: 11-1114

(6)

Cliffs Of Dover⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Megan Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: P F Nicholls| OR: 77

9/2

Classy hurdler absolutely bolted up over 2m at Haydock last week under ultra-aggressive tactics, eventually winning by an eased down 12L. Due to go up 11lb for that success so huge chance here with a 6lb penalty although dropped in trip.

Form: 35/1181

(4)

Arab Moon²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: W J Knight| OR: 81

12/1

Seemed to improve for step up to 2m last twice with good thirds at Kempton and York. Probably capable off this mark if as effective dropped in trip (all wins 1m3f/1m4f).

Form: 046533

(2)

Mandalayan⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 89

11/1

1m AW winner stayed on well when upped to 1m3f here two starts back but flopped over 1m4f next at Salisbury. Takes another step up in trip here and must bounce back from latest effort.

Form: 2-13636

(7)

Sky Eagle⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: G Mosse| T: E Walker| OR: 80| BF

3/1

Ran well in all three starts this term winning at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) and placing at York (1m4f) and Goodwood (1m6f). Handicapper keeps the pressure up but clearly an improving colt at present so can't be ruled out.

Form: 421-132

(8)

Continuum^p,h⁹

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P Hedger| OR: 79

20/1

98-rated Listed performer in his pomp but someway short of that level these days and over four years since he last won. Not disgraced over 1m4f last twice on AW and today's trip should suit better off this career low mark.

Form: 5-35737

(5)

Monjeni^p⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Fran Berry| T: Ian Williams| OR: 78

40/1

Three-time winner over 1m6f last term recently returned over the same trip at Salisbury where he ran freely and eventually tailed in seventh beaten 24L. Fitness boosted but huge step up required.

Form: 11313-7

Forecasts

Saroog (7/4), Sky Eagle (3/1), Cliffs Of Dover (9/2), What A Welcome (8/1), Mandalayan (11/1), Arab Moon (12/1), Continuum (20/1), Monjeni (40/1)

Paul Nicholls' Grade Two winning hurdler CLIFFS OF DOVER must have been the best part of 20L clear at Haydock until easing up to win by 12L. The step back 3½f in trip here won't be ideal but he is so well treated with the 6lb penalty that he will still take an awful lot of beating. Saroog is clearly on the up since stepping into staying contests and he rates the biggest threat to the selection. Sky Eagle is another who seems to be going the right way and he too is considered for the in form Ed Walker.