17:35 Newmarket

Saturday 22 September 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0017:3517:40

Zac Howard 30th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 17:39 | Winning time: 1m 12.91s

(3)

Bernardo O'Reilly⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: T P Queally| T: R Spencer| OR: 86| BF| D

6/1

Slowly away (lost all chance) when seeking the hat-trick at Doncaster last week, and wouldn't want a repeat of those antics; best form so far on good to soft, so ideally needs more rain to fall.

Form: 5-29119

(8)

Captain Colby²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: P T Midgley| OR: 85| CD

9/2

5lb lower than when a close up third over C&D (good to firm) in May, but Paul Midgley hasn't quite been able to find the key to unlock his undoubted ability; holds every chance on his form of old for Ed Walker.

Form: 0-53667

(6)

Highland Acclaim^h⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: D O'Meara| OR: 83| D

7/2

Beaten just ¾L at his favoured track Epsom (6f, good to soft) in August, and ran a reasonably encouraging race at Thirsk just a few days later (fifth); held back by a wide draw at Chester last Saturday.

Form: 339257

(7)

Mr Wagyu^v¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁷⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 82| D

15/2

Six-time winner from 18 starts (33%), including when edging out Zain Hana by a nose on the July Course (6f) in mid summer; 2lb higher, and the handicapper is in charge, hence the use of a 7lb claimer in the saddle.

Form: 131307

(2)

Parnassian^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: K Shoemark| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 79| D

7/1

Lost the race in the Stewards Room after 'winning' at Windsor (6f) earlier this month; unhelpfully raised 3lb by the handicapper for that reverse, but this looks weaker than the Ascot race (ninth) he contested latest.

Form: 9495D9

(1)

Nick Vedder^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: J F Egan| T: M Wigham| OR: 73

3/1

Not the easiest to win with, but did manage to edge out Muatadel by a neck at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) on his penultimate start; wouldn't want the ground to ease too much, and might just about get away with 6f at this track.

Form: 224318

(4)

Curious Fox¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: K T O'Neill| T: A Carson| OR: 73| D

10/1

Seven-time winner from 32 starts, and on a bit of a roll; raised 3lb for her 1L defeat of Sweet Pursuit over 6f at Goodwood latest (fillies), and that isn't overly prohibitive; respected.

Form: 521341

Non-Runners

(5)

Lady Freyja²

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: J Ryan J: R Havlin

Forecasts

Nick Vedder (3/1), Lady Freyja (3/1), Highland Acclaim (7/2), Captain Colby (9/2), Bernardo O'Reilly (6/1), Parnassian (7/1), Mr Wagyu (15/2), Curious Fox (10/1)

Curious Fox is an in-form mare who can be expected to figure in the shake up after a fairly nominal rise in the weights for her 6f Goodwood win, whilst the improving filly Lady Freyja also has reasonable claims assuming a hectic spell of racing hasn't just pushed her over the edge. Highland Acclaim was beaten by the draw at Chester last week, but does favour Epsom, whilst Bernado O'Reilly is only considered in-running (if breaking on terms). Therefore, we'll aim the dart at CAPTAIN COLBY. He was a capable performer for Ed Walker, and easing noticeably in the weights will no doubt be having his day for Paul Midgley sooner rather than later.