13:50 Newmarket

Saturday 4 May 2019

All13:5014:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:20

Spring Lodge Stakes Handicap

Off time: 13:51 | Winning time: 1m 50.67s

(6)

Vintager¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 110| BF

8/1

Won a competitive handicap (1m) on the July course last year. Hasn't been in the same form in two starts at Meydan for his new yard and handicapper has been slow to relent. Has to be considered a threat if he can bounce back.

Form: 2341-79

(3)

First Sitting²²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-6| J: R Kingscote| T: C F Wall| OR: 106| D

33/1

Course winner in 2016 (July course, 1m2f) and has won two Listed races and a Group 3 subsequently. Out of form towards the back end of last season but returns and on a fair mark as a result and should appreciate the drop in class if fully fit.

Form: 104344-

(10)

Aquarium¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| D

11/1

Consistent and mildly progressive last season, winning three handicaps including a competitive race at York. Has returned to form in recent runs and only up 1lb for a good second behind a progressive sort at Epsom last time; each-way claims again.

Form: 085022

(8)

Max Zorin⁷²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 100

25/1

Only win to date came in maiden company at Chester but he's proven himself with some fair efforts in defeat subsequently, most notably a third in Listed class last time. Handicapper hasn't taken any chances with his handicap mark though.

Form: 201343/

(7)

Exec Chef²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Boyle| OR: 95

9/1

Rattled off a hat-trick shortly after joining this yard and produced a career best on seasonal return in the Spring Mile at Doncaster. Too bad to be true at Newbury subsequently and he's relatively low mileage. Interesting contender.

Form: 1113-20

(1)

Ibraz²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 93| D

7/1

Won twice in four starts as a three-year-old but some signs the handicapper has caught up with him on his two most recent starts. Well beaten on only course (July) start on final start of 2017 but this extra furlong might help.

Form: 5/3117-0

(9)

Elector²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: J Fanning| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 93

9/1

Hasn't won since his debut but showed something close to his best form when third of nine at Kempton in October. Freshened up since and still low mileage so likely better is expected at some stage given his trainer's record with older horses.

Form: 427333-

(5)

Al Muffrih³³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| BF

9/4

Won a 16 runner maiden at Newbury on his second start with the front two coming a long way clear. Not at his best when too keen (fourth of 14) when last seen at Sandown but that form has been boosted subsequently and opening mark looks fair.

Form: 3/14-

(4)

Power of Darkness¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Hayley Turner| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 91

7/2

Won his third and four career starts at Salisbury and didn't get a clear run on his seasonal return here at the Craven Meeting, only narrowly denied in second. Only up 2lb on his second start since wind surgery and rates as a likely contender here.

Form: 63/11-2

(2)

Jazeel²¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: A Fresu| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 90| CD

12/1

C&D winner when landing the Cambridgeshire consolation race towards the back end of last season. A 6lb rise demands more against some progressive looking rivals.

Form: 315641-

Forecasts

Al Muffrih (9/4), Power of Darkness (7/2), Ibraz (7/1), Vintager (8/1), Elector (9/1), Exec Chef (9/1), Aquarium (11/1), Jazeel (12/1), Max Zorin (25/1), First Sitting (33/1)

AL MUFFRIH may not have been seen for 331 days but his trainer is adept at getting his horses ready first time out and while his fourth last time out was disappointing on the face of it, the form of the race has worked out very well. Power Of Darkness was unlucky over one mile here last time out and can go well again. First Sitting has proved himself at a higher level than this and has an each-way squeak if ready on return.