15:55 Newmarket

Saturday 8 June 2019

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:35

RWS/Strawberry Fields Stud Handicap

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 1m 10.55s

(3)

Merhoob³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Darragh Keenan⁽⁵⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 102| D

22/1

Has a better record on AW, but proved himself just as good on turf when winning in the mud at Chester last month. More needed under different conditions now, although has a good claimer on board to offset his big weight.

Form: 122731

(15)

Vibrant Chords²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: James Doyle| T: H Candy| OR: 99| D

16/1

Hit and miss in four starts last season, winning at Sandown (5f) but failing to build on that twice subsequently. Failed to build on a good AW return when running poorly at York last time, and patience wearing thin now.

Form: 6190-20

(7)

Teruntum Star^p⁴²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: K Stott| T: K A Ryan| OR: 98| CD

20/1

Much his best effort this yaer when winning at Beverley in April, but he's hard to catch right, and ran poorly at Ripon last time. On a fair mark, but clearly comes with risks attached.

Form: 23-7610

(14)

Flying Pursuit^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Rachel Richardson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 98| D

25/1

Showed little last year until high summer, and following the same pattern in 2019. Will come good at some point, but left alone for the time being.

Form: 325-680

(4)

Staxton²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Shane Gray| T: T D Easterby| OR: 98| BF| CD

17/2

Didn't quite deliver on what he had threatened to do as a juvenile and best form has come with some cut in the ground, winning over C&D last July. Below form at York last month, but can do better, for all rain would be a help.

Form: 3026-30

(1)

Reputation⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 96| D

16/1

Impressive when winning at Ripon in April and not disgraced from his revised mark when eighth of 21 at York last month. Below form at Epsom last time, but still finished fourth, and better than the distance beaten would imply.

Form: 258-184

(2)

Wentworth Falls^p²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: G A Harker| OR: 95| D

8/1

Losing run stretches back more than two years but he was only narrowly denied at Doncaster last month, and again ran well when second of 21 to Soldier's Minute at York later in May. Can't be dismissed in current heart.

Form: 243-522

(8)

Spanish City⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: R Varian| OR: 95| BF| D

9/2

Won twice last year and running consistently well for some time. Fifth from a bad draw in race won by Watchable at Epsom last week, and will do better back at this stiffer track.

Form: 2646-25

(9)

Flavius Titus³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 95| D

4/1

Narrowly got the better of Summerghand here at the Craven meeting, and ran well when third over C&D behind On The Warpath last month. One of a couple of likely types for this in-form yard, and may do better yet.

Form: 0324-13

(5)

Aces^p1,t¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| C| D

7/1

Won at Epsom and over 7f here last season, but largely below form since latter success. Signs of a revival at Chester last time, and fitting of cheekpieces/booking of top jockey could see him take a step up here.

Form: 1000-47

(11)

Louie de Palma²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| D

9/1

Made all, and looked better than ever when scoring over 6f at Ascot last time. Not always been the easiest to predict, but lightly raced for his age, and still capable off revised mark.

Form: 0020-51

(13)

Embour²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| C| D

6/1

Won three times on the spin in sprint races last summer, and has picked up the progressive thread again recently, comfortably beating Miracle of Medinah at Newbury last time. Can make his presence felt again.

Form: 00-6131

(10)

Swiss Knight^t1¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jason Watson| T: S C Williams| OR: 86| BF

25/1

Career best when winning 7f handicap off 1lb lower in August for Charlie Appleby. Starts out for new yard after absence with tongue tied and tried sprinting for the first time, so has a bit to prove, for all he's unexposed.

Form: 2/1425-

Non-Runners

(6)

Raucous¹⁶

Weight: 9-11| Age: 6

T: R M H Cowell J: Sean Davis

(12)

Burford Brown⁶

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: R M H Cowell J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

Flavius Titus (4/1), Spanish City (9/2), Embour (6/1), Aces (7/1), Wentworth Falls (8/1), Staxton (17/2), Louie de Palma (9/1), Reputation (16/1), Vibrant Chords (16/1), Raucous (16/1), Burford Brown (16/1), Teruntum Star (20/1), Merhoob (22/1), Swiss Knight (25/1), Flying Pursuit (25/1)

SPANISH CITY wasn't seen to best effect from a very wide draw at Epsom last week, but he did well in the circumstances, and the return to this stiffer track will suit. He can go close assuming he gets the strong pace he needs. Wentworth Falls is in the form of his life right now, and is feared, as is Newbury winner Embour and the selection's stablemate Flavius Titus.