15:55 Newbury

Friday 21 September 2018

All13:1013:4514:2014:5015:2515:5516:3017:05

Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (Listed) (Str)

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 1m 30.39s

(2)

Mankib²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 103| CD

4/1

Former French performer was set a stiff task in the Criterion Stakes on stable debut but then won two handicaps in a row before never seriously involved in valuable Chelmsford City Cup on AW. This demands more but not completely ruled out.

Form: 86-7119

(5)

Mjjack¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 105| D

11/4

Won five of his 15 starts and also went well in several big handicaps last season. Returned from 131 day absence latest with second win this year at Haydock where he absolutely bolted up. Too good for handicaps now and big chance here.

Form: 68-5141

(8)

Ultimate Avenue¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: E Walker| OR: 95| CD

16/1

Just won the once in 12 career starts and was slammed by 6L by re-opposing Mijack at Haydock latest despite receiving weight from that rival. Hard to envisage him getting much closer here.

Form: 6-44004

(6)

Good Effort²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: I Mohammed| OR: 93| CD

16/1

Lightly raced colt bolted up two starts back in a C&D handicap which saw him raised a stone by the handicapper. Never able to land a blow next when last of six in a Goodwood Group Three. This slightly easier but still demands improvement.

Form: 74316

(1)

Nebo²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: C Hills| OR: 105| CD

13/2

C&D Group Three winner at two has run in 2000 Guineas (last of 14, 100/1) and Group Three City Of York Stakes (won by top class Expert Eye) last twice. This considerably easier and although 2018 form not great he has a leading chance today.

Form: 321-607

(4)

Red Mist²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 104| D

6/4

Three-time Listed placed colt over 7f and 1m was found a nice opportunity latest and fairly bolted up in a three runner Ripon conditions event. Confidence should now be boosted and looks a leading contender here.

Form: 24-1231

(7)

Hells Babe^p1²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 92| D

33/1

Latest second of three in a Fillies Conditions Stakes at Chelmsford her best run this season but still short of the required and unplaced in all six previous attempts at pattern level.

Form: 696-572

(3)

Summer Icon¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M R Channon| OR: 90| D

25/1

Moderate strike rate overall and only made the frame once in 12 starts at this level or above, that a well beaten third on the AW back in March. Up against it here.

Form: 026003

Forecasts

Red Mist (6/4), Mjjack (11/4), Mankib (4/1), Nebo (13/2), Good Effort (16/1), Ultimate Avenue (16/1), Summer Icon (25/1), Hells Babe (33/1)

RED MIST has gone close on several occasions in Listed company with close seconds over C&D last year and at Saint Cloud over 1m this year before he won easily last time out. This looks an excellent opportunity to deservedly gain a first win in pattern company so he gets the nod. Mijack could hardly have been more impressive last time out and this colt has shown similar level of form before in top handicaps so is a big danger here and his chances will only be enhanced if rain falls. Nebo has the best form of all based on his C&D win in last year's Horris Hill but question marks arise now from a frustrating three-year-old campaign.