14:25 Newbury

Saturday 18 August 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4017:15

Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:28 | Winning time: 2m 51.63s

(5)

Algometer³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: D M Simcock| OR: 112| C

7/1

Twice won at this course although not since 2016 which was his last success. Seemed to have lost his way a little until running excellent race latest in a Longchamp Group Two over 1m6f finishing second. That level of form competitive.

Form: 237-652

(1)

Dal Harraild¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 111

13/2

Dual Listed scorer effective at up to 2m. Narrowly touched off in 1m6f York Group Three before struggling latest in Group One Goodwood Cup. This more his level and trip suits well enough so bold bid more than likely.

Form: 66-1024

(2)

Hamada³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 107

7/4

Returned from almost two years off with three wins in as many starts this campaign. Stepped up to 1m6f for the first time he hacked up by 7L in a Class 2 Newmarket handicap latest. Big step up in class but looks more than capable.

Form: 321/111

(8)

Walton Street^p⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C Appleby| OR: 104

11/2

Winner of a 95-105 Meydan handicap back in February ran well on return when third of 17 at Ascot back in June. Given time since and now takes a step up in trip and class. Appears stable second string behind Hamada.

Form: 14-6213

(7)

Raymond Tusk²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: S De Sousa| T: R Hannon| OR: 106| C

10/3

Struggled as you would expect in the Group One Eclipse before stepping back to Listed level with a comfortable success over 1m3f at Hamilton. Should handle this step up in trip and seems to be improving so rated a leading player.

Form: 1261

(6)

Perfect Clarity⁵⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: David Probert| T: C G Cox| OR: 100

14/1

Won first two starts including the Listed Lingfield Oaks trial over 1m3½f. Not competitive in Oaks and Ribblesdale latest but this a bit easier. Stamina to prove and probably bit more needed.

Form: 1-175

Non-Runners

(3)

On To Victory¹⁴

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: Tom Marquand

(4)

Jet Streaming¹⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: S W Kelly

Forecasts

Hamada (7/4), Raymond Tusk (10/3), Walton Street (11/2), Dal Harraild (13/2), Algometer (7/1), Perfect Clarity (14/1), On To Victory (16/1), Jet Streaming (50/1)

Stepping from handicaps to Group class is never easy but HAMADA couldn't possibly have been more impressive in a strong handicap at Newmarket so he should be capable of taking the hike in class in his stride. The other seemingly quite unexposed contender Raymond Tusk is rated as the chief danger. This Listed winner should be suited by today's step up in trip and this race was won by a three-year-old last season. Algometer and Dal Harraild are seasoned campaigners at this sort of level and they will find any chinks in the armour of the less exposed duo if given the chance.