17:20 Newmarket

Wednesday 17 April 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Coates & Seely Blanc De Blancs Handicap

Off time: 17:23 | Winning time: 1m 40.97s

(12)

Burj^h⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 84

10/1

Won twice early last season before finishing fourth and fifth in handicaps. Little encouragement this winter in Dubai and still has a tendency to race too freely for his own good.

Form: 45-7058

(15)

Brian Epstein¹⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 84| D

5/1

Improved in each of his three two-year-old starts culminating in success over this trip at Kempton in October. First handicap here and while his mark looks high enough he should progress further this season.

Form: 541-

(7)

Gallic¹⁸⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: G Mosse| T: E Walker| OR: 83| D

12/1

Was consistent without winning last season until showing notable step up in form when an impressive Newcastle handicap scorer in October. Upped 6lb for seasonal reappearance here which doesn't look overly harsh.

Form: 24341-

(14)

Karnavaal¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jim Crowley| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 82

11/4

Well bred Dubawi colt got off the mark at the third time of asking at Chelmsford last October over 7f. Opening mark doesn't overestimate him and extra 1f can surely only be of benefit so highly respected here.

Form: 041-

(3)

Kamikaze Lord²¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: J Noseda| OR: 82

8/1

American bred colt improved in each of his three juvenile starts culminating in success at Kempton last September. One of a whole host of interesting first-time handicappers and the jockey booking signals intent.

Form: 521-

(10)

Self Assessment²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 80

20/1

Winner of a novice over 7f but didn't seem to see out 1m at York in October. Gelded since but again weak in the finish when fourth of six after leading on return at Wolverhampton over 1m½f. Stamina doubts remain beyond 7f.

Form: 82155-4

(9)

Harbour Spirit²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 80

20/1

Winner over 7½f at Deauville last season began three-year-old campaign by finishing a 3L fourth of nine at Lingfield. Gets 1lb back here but others likely better handicapped.

Form: 32631-4

(5)

The Corporal¹⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: George Wood| T: C F Wall| OR: 78

66/1

Well-bred son of Dansili but failed to win as a juvenile for Aidan O'Brien. Bought for 20,000gns and gelded since joining these connections. Others appeal more.

Form: 5937-

(4)

Aweedram¹⁶¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: W Buick| T: A King| OR: 78

5/1

Third of 14 and 11 in first two starts last season before racing too keenly in finishing sixth of 16 at Nottingham. Arrives in opening handicap with better to come and jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 336-

(2)

Archaeology¹⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 77

14/1

5½f winner for Johnny Murtagh last season bought for 50,000gns last October subsequently by these connections. Handicap mark may be within range but doubts over whether he will stay 1m here.

Form: 03419-

(13)

God Has Given¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 76

22/1

Son of Nathaniel twice finished fourth in three starts for Richard Hannon at two. Gelded for stable bow here after being bought for 22,000gns at auction. Must step up on evidence to date.

Form: 044-

(8)

Jem Scuttle^t¹⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: T Eaves| T: D Carroll| OR: 74

40/1

Dual 7f Wolverhampton winner at two including class 5 handicap in most recent start. Upped 4lb here and more to prove at higher grade and on turf.

Form: 782121-

(1)

Gold At Midnight^p¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: W Stone| OR: 73

50/1

Best effort when winning a C&D novice last September for Sir Michael Stoute, and possibly in need of the run on handicap debut for new yard at Wolverhampton before midfield effort there latest. Race-fit but others likely better handicapped.

Form: 341-66

(6)

Purbeck Hills¹²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Bentley| T: R Hannon| OR: 70

20/1

Finished fourth in first two starts before being tailed off in stronger AW contest in final start. Handicaps should provide better alternatives now but suspect at a lower grade than this.

Form: 440-

Non-Runners

(11)

Over The Guns¹⁹⁷

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: K R Burke J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Karnavaal (11/4), Aweedram (5/1), Brian Epstein (5/1), Kamikaze Lord (8/1), Burj (10/1), Gallic (12/1), Over The Guns (12/1), Archaeology (14/1), Self Assessment (20/1), Harbour Spirit (20/1), Purbeck Hills (20/1), God Has Given (22/1), Jem Scuttle (40/1), Gold At Midnight (50/1), The Corporal (66/1)

A fiendishly difficult three-year-old only handicap this but the vote goes to Karl Burke's OVER THE GUNS who looks likely to improve for a step up to 1m on this his handicap debut here. Silvestre De Sousa is worth his weight in gold in such contests and the first-time visor may also be a plus. Karnavaal and Kamikaze Lord both start out in handicaps after winning their third start so are equally open to further improvement.