17:05 Newmarket

Saturday 18 August 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:35

Randox Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 2m 34.23s

(3)

Dubawi Prince⁴⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 84

11/4

Looked to have a future ahead of him when winning at Doncaster last April, but not seen since weakening sharply at Newbury later the same month. Interesting to see connections persevere, and worth a market check ahead of belated return.

Form: 72/16-

(2)

Eskendash²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 82| D

10/1

Dual-purpose performer who was better than ever in this sphere when winning handicap at Ripon last month with a bit to spare. Second and third have won since, so respected for all this represents a stiffer task.

Form: 6356-61

(9)

Turnpike Trip⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Fran Berry| T: H Candy| OR: 80

14/1

Won twice with cut in the ground last season, and back on track when third to Pivoine at Sandown last time, albeit having no excuses after dictating the pace. More required here.

Form: 6115-53

(8)

King Kevin^b¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 78| D

50/1

Winless on turf but a revelation on AW last winter, scoring five times. Progress has ground to a halt on last couple of starts, however, and has a bit to prove back on this surface.

Form: 312577

(5)

Rake's Progress⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J F Egan| T: H Main| OR: 77

16/1

Creditable third over 1m1f at Lingfield (good to soft) in May, and again ran well at Kempton (1m3f) next time, but ran poorly last time, and remains high in the weights based on balance of form.

Form: 8-87339

(1)

Scaramanga¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: T P Queally| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 81

7/1

From a decent middle-distance family, and has shaped with promise in a trio of qualifying runs. Opening mark looks stiff enough, but he ought to progress further, and one to bear in mind.

Form: 573

(7)

Great Beyond^t1⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 78WS

9/1

Out of a winning half-sister to G1 winners Polish Summer and Meteor Storm, and has shown ability in three starts to date. Has had wind surgery since latest start, and also wears a tongue tie, so no surprise to see improvement.

Form: 8-45

(10)

Gododdin^p⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 75| BF

5/1

Improved on previous form to win on handicap debut at Nottingham (1¼m), and has shaped as if in need of further when running creditably on both starts since. Gelded since latest outing, and expected to play a big part up in trip.

Form: 48-8134

(6)

Zatorius²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 75

10/1

Has run with credit on all four starts this season without progressing. Not beaten far when fourth on handicap debut at Chester, and again shaped as if having more stamina than is apparent in his pedigree.

Form: 24-4334

(4)

Nuits St Georges¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: D Menuisier| OR: 72| BF

9/2

Still a maiden, but ran his best race when just failing to catch Andok in a 1¼m handicap at Redcar last time. Return to this trip will suit, and he holds solid place claims.

Form: 93-3052

Forecasts

Dubawi Prince (11/4), Nuits St Georges (9/2), Gododdin (5/1), Scaramanga (7/1), Great Beyond (9/1), Eskendash (10/1), Zatorius (10/1), Turnpike Trip (14/1), Rake's Progress (16/1), King Kevin (50/1)

Scaramanga and Great Beyond are a pair of well-bred three-year-old handicap debutants representing respected yards, so need to be monitored closely in the betting, but both need to improve to beat GODODDIN, whose last run is working out well, and who should benefit from the dual catalysts of gelding and stepping up in trip.