13:50 Newmarket

Sunday 5 May 2019

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

Qatar Racing Handicap

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 2m 34.08s

(5)

Melting Dew²⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 102

11/1

Typical late improver for this yard and probably over the top when well beaten at York when last season. Trainer capable of readying one off an absence and may be capable of better still; respected.

Form: 0/41120-

(4)

Hochfeld¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| D

9/1

Very consistent and while he hasn't won in nearly two years, his last success did come at this venue. May have needed the run on return last time when drawn wide and better expected here.

Form: 24220-0

(6)

Baghdad¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| D

9/4

Won two of his three starts last year, winning a valuable handicap at Royal Ascot. Only narrowly denied on return and likely there's more to come from him this season. Booking of De Sousa a positive.

Form: 41/311-3

(10)

Corelli^t¹⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 95| D

7/1

Has won three of his five starts and impressive when winning at Southwell last time, despite missing the break. Weak in that market that day so may come on for the run and handicapper has only raised him 1lb.

Form: 61/131-

(9)

Fire Fighting¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94| D

33/1

Inconsistent sort these days and hasn't been at his best in five starts this year. C&D winner and has produced some of his better efforts here but needs to bounce back.

Form: 0-32059

(2)

Shailene¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 93

7/1

Both his wins have come on AW and seemingly not the easiest to train on recent evidence. Well bred and may be capable of better at some stage though.

Form: 42137-6

(8)

Spirit Ridge²⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 92| D

10/3

Won on handicap debut last time out and had a bit in hand that day. That didn't go unnoticed by the handicapper, raising him 7lb but capable of further progress here.

Form: 4121-

(7)

Koeman²⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: M R Channon| OR: 91| BF| D

20/1

Got his head back in front at Ascot in July but only seen once since when a beaten favourite at the Shergar Cup meeting. Fast ground should suit and likely capable of better still, though entitled to need this on return.

Form: 747414-

(1)

New Show^v1⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Spencer| T: M L W Bell| OR: 84

12/1

Off the mark at the third attempt for this yard at Windsor earlier this week. 6lb penalty for that success though and in a deeper race here. Wears first-time visor.

Form: 1/516-01

Non-Runners

(3)

Deja¹⁹⁵

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: P W Chapple-Hyam J: W Buick

Forecasts

Baghdad (9/4), Spirit Ridge (10/3), Deja (5/1), Corelli (7/1), Shailene (7/1), Hochfeld (9/1), Melting Dew (11/1), New Show (12/1), Koeman (20/1), Fire Fighting (33/1)

A competitive opener to 1,000 Guineas day but a chance is taken on CORELLI who was only nudged up 1lb following a Southwell success last time out. Deja is less exposed than most while Spirit Ridge could be a horse to follow this season and looked impressive when winning last time out.