15:00 Newbury

Saturday 18 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Al Zubarah London Gold Cup Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 2m 5.33s

(14)

Headman³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 95

12/1

Odds-on when winning a weak Newcastle race on debut, but was turned over when hot favourite again at Kempton next time. Didn't settle when sixth of 9 to King Ottokar over C&D on his return, and may yet do better.

Form: 12-6

(3)

Forest Of Dean²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 93| D

7/2

Second to Solid Stone at Newcastle in August, and has improved this year, winning there in February and at Doncaster last month, when he was the easy winner of a competitive handicap. Will continue to give a good account despite an 8lb rise.

Form: 842-121

(9)

The Trader⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

33/1

Won twice on turf at around 7f last year, and appeared to improve markedly when ½L second of 5 to Fox Premier in a 1¼m handicap at Chelmsford on his return. Needs to show he can back that up in a bigger field/different surface.

Form: 41147-2

(10)

Mackaar²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 92| D

16/1

Both wins on AW surfaces, most recently over 1¼m at Lingfield in April. 7¼L fourth of 7 to Cape of Good Hope in Listed race at Epsom last time, and needs to do better, but worth a chance on a more orthodox track.

Form: 41-14

(1)

War Tiger³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91

10/1

Promise on first two starts before landing a novice event and a handicap at Wolverhampton. Further progress when second of 5 to Solid Stone in handicap at Newmarket last time, albeit having the run of the race in front, and now 5lb higher.

Form: 4-3112

(5)

Solid Stone³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 91| D

5/1

Has narrow victories over Forest of Dean and War Tiger on his CV, and is progressing by the run. Connections won this with similar type in Cannock Chase in 2014, and he looks to have been laid out for this.

Form: 421-1

(8)

Riviera Nights²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 91

25/1

Followed all the way win in 7f Brighton maiden when carrying off the same tactics in 1m nursery at Ripon in September. Shaped well when third of 7 to Name The Wind in minor contest at Kempton on reappearance, but has stamina to prove at this trip.

Form: 3311-3

(16)

Good Birthday⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| C| D

6/1

Won over 1m here in October, and progressed again when taking an extended 1¼m handicap at Doncaster in March. That race yet to work out, but he did it well, and merits respect in follow-up bid.

Form: 721-1

(11)

Majestic Dawn³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: P & O Cole| OR: 90| C

14/1

Has made the running on all three starts and improved when landing a 1m3f maiden here last month. That race has thrown up some smart winners, so he can't be ignored despite dropping slightly in trip.

Form: 221

(6)

Sinjaari¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89| D

3/1

Just touched off at Redcar on return, and better still when quickening smartly to win a 1¼m maiden at Windsor last time. Will keep improving, and one to bear in mind.

Form: 5-21

(15)

Dubai Instinct²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Callum Shepherd| T: B J Meehan| OR: 86| D

25/1

Has returned with two solid efforts this year, fourth of 17 on return at Doncaster in a race that is working out well and improved to win a 1¼m Nottingham maiden last month. Looks on a fair mark for handicap debut, but wide draw poses problems.

Form: 6-41

(12)

Sky Defender¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 86| D

20/1

Well held in a nursery at Catterick last season, but handicapper gave him a chance, and he bounced back to win a 5-runner affair at Bath 12 days ago. Back up the weights for that, and this looks a much tougher task.

Form: 29173-1

(7)

Korcho³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 82| D

20/1

Two from three in handicaps, and found plenty for pressure when winning over this trip at Windsor last time. Stiffer track will suit him here, and he should have more to offer.

Form: 77614-1

(13)

Ritchie Valens⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 78

33/1

Best effort to date when second to Forest of Dean on handicap bow at Doncaster (1m2½f), but a little disappointing at Chelmsford 9 days ago, and others look more progressive at this stage.

Form: 55-323

(4)

Htilominlo^t¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: S Kirk| OR: 76

20/1

Has improved for step up to 1¼m on last two starts, finishing a close second at Salisbury and Goodwood. Pulled clear with another progressive rival last time, and isn't one to underestimate despite his lowly rating.

Form: 5-4322

Non-Runners

(2)

Target Zone²⁸

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: D R C Elsworth J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Sinjaari (3/1), Forest Of Dean (7/2), Solid Stone (5/1), Good Birthday (6/1), War Tiger (10/1), Headman (12/1), Majestic Dawn (14/1), Mackaar (16/1), Korcho (20/1), Htilominlo (20/1), Sky Defender (20/1), Riviera Nights (25/1), Dubai Instinct (25/1), The Trader (33/1), Ritchie Valens (33/1), Target Zone (50/1)

Solid Stone represents the connections of 2014 winner Cannock Chase and he must be respected having beaten a pair of his rivals on his last two starts, including Forest of Dean. Sinjarri showed a good turn of foot to score at Windsor and is also shortlisted, but with Hughie Morrison in such good form, it could be worth chancing another Windsor winner in KORCHO, who won despite the track last time, and will be seen to better effect granted an end-to-end gallop on a stiffer track like this.