17:55 Newmarket

Friday 17 August 2018

All17:2517:5518:3019:0019:3020:05

Fly London Southend Airport To Milan Handicap

Off time: 18:00 | Winning time: 1m 13.46s

(4)

Go Far^v⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: B Doyle| T: A Bailey| OR: 85| D

33/1

Very useful when on song (Ayr Bronze Cup winner in 2015) but well below best this year, and although latest fourth of 6 to Mazzini in an optional claimer at Chelmsford was a step in the right direction, much more is needed here.

Form: 200-864

(2)

Russian Realm²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: D C Costello| T: P T Midgley| OR: 84| D

12/1

Best effort this year when second at Epsom (1¾L behind Aces) on Derby day, and possibly found ground too fast when below form last time. Fairly treated on balance of form, and one to consider in an open race.

Form: 323729

(6)

Robero^p1²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Aaron Jones⁽³⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 84| C| D

11/2

Gradually finding best form again this season, and switched stables before eye-catching fifth of 12 to Cliffs of Capri in a 7f amateur handicap at Ascot last time. Cheekpieces on for first time here, and drop to 6f should make him a big player.

Form: 07-7845

(3)

Al Asef⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Bentley| T: M Botti| OR: 86| BF

14/1

Improved on final start of last year when a winner at Wolverhampton, form that has been well advertised by the second since then. Below best after getting away slowly on both starts this season, but capable of better if breaking on terms.

Form: 361-44

(7)

Equitation¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 81| BF| D

7/2

Dual winner over this trip last season. Has run well in defeat in both starts this year, albeit beaten favourite both times. Bit more to find from current mark, but unexposed after just three handicaps, and considered.

Form: 311-53

(10)

Lady Freyja¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: G Mosse| T: J Ryan| OR: 78| C

8/1

Best to ignore her flop at Ascot last month, and has run well either side of that, winning at Yarmouth and somewhat unlucky when runner-up here two weeks ago. Drops from 7f now, which is more of a worry than her handicap mark.

Form: 00-4182

(1)

Mullionheir²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: J R Best| OR: 77| D

14/1

Needed a few runs to hit peak last year, winning at Ascot (6f) on final start, and excuses this season, most recently when out of his depth in valuable handicap at same venue. Has fallen to a tempting mark, and not dismissed.

Form: 991-870

(9)

Explain^b¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 77| D

14/1

Now 9lb lower than when winning in the mud at Chester in the autumn, and served notice that he was ready to strike when third at Ayr (7f) last time. Would appreciate further rain.

Form: 808003

(5)

Han Solo Berger^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: C F Wall| OR: 79| BF| D

12/1

Soft ground winner for Keith Dalgleish, and shaped well for new yard when second over this trip at Kempton last month. Failed to build on that back on turf last time, though, and cheekpieces reached for now.

Form: 41-8929

(11)

Mont Kiara^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Fran Berry| T: K A Ryan| OR: 76| CD

20/1

Form this year has a very uneven feel to it and he's looked temperamental on occasions (often slow away). Ran his best race after a wind op at Catterick, but below form on both starts since, and easy enough to oppose on balance.

Form: 699357

(13)

Zeyzoun^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: C F Wall| OR: 75

9/1

Promising when trained in France, and produced good first effort for current stable when fourth of 16 at Leicester (7f). Not disgraced when 1¼L last of 4 to Ice Lord over C&D last time, and softer ground will help now.

Form: 231-404

(8)

Akbar Shah¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 76

13/2

Had a tough task in retrospect trying to concede weight to a subsequent dual winner at Doncaster, and improved when 1½L second of 7 to How Far in handicap at Lingfield last time. Looks on a very fair mark, and should have more to offer.

Form: 08222

(12)

Roland Rocks¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Hayley Turner| T: J Ryan| OR: 74

33/1

Promising two-year-old form hasn't been replicated this term, with connections experimenting with a variety of trips. Merely closed up late when fifth of 6 over C&D last time, and makes limited appeal once more.

Form: 606375

Forecasts

Equitation (7/2), Robero (11/2), Akbar Shah (13/2), Lady Freyja (8/1), Zeyzoun (9/1), Han Solo Berger (12/1), Russian Realm (12/1), Explain (14/1), Mullionheir (14/1), Al Asef (14/1), Mont Kiara (20/1), Roland Rocks (33/1), Go Far (33/1)

Most of these are exposed, but there could be plenty more to come from AKBAR SHAH, who has improved on his last two starts, with the form of his penultimate outing working out particularly well. Robero and Explain have both fallen in the weights, and that pair hinted at an imminent return to form on their most recent outings, so merit respect, especially with the ground easing.