14:25 Newcastle

Saturday 29 June 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:1517:50

Betfair Exchange Chipchase Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:25 | Winning time: 1m 11.33s

(2)

Invincible Army⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 115| D

10/11

Had thrived ahead of contesting the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes (seventh) at Royal Ascot last Saturday, winning the Listed Cammidge Trophy (Doncaster) and the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes (York); 1-1 on the AW; the clear and obvious form horse.

Form: 299-117

(3)

Mr Lupton³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 111| D

5/1

Continues to improve with age, winning Group 2 contests at Newbury (5f, soft) and The Curragh (6f, good to firm) in two of his last three starts; couldn't ever get involved when finishing fifth of ten to Markaz (beaten 4½L) in this race in 2016.

Form: 49712-1

(1)

Above The Rest^h¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: T D Barron| OR: 100| CD

11/1

Sprung a 12/1 surprise when a snug 1½L winner of this race in 2018 (beat Yafta); the chances are that this is a much stronger renewal, and after struggling to make his mark in Class 2 turf handicaps of late is difficult to fancy on this occasion.

Form: 718070

(7)

Encrypted⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 105| D

16/1

Portland handicap runner up; boasts some pleasing AW form figures (11010) with victory in Lingfield's Listed Golden Rose Stakes an obvious highlight; paid a real price for gallantly trying to stick with Kachy on AW Championships Finals Day in April.

Form: 01281-0

(6)

Laugh A Minute⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 105| BF| D

5/1

A capable sprinter; twice a winner on Town Moor at Doncaster (6f-6½f), including when winning a four-runner Conditions Stakes last summer; can often take a keen hold and is yet to race on an artificial surface; Group 3 placed in France.

Form: 0124-43

(4)

Island Of Life^p,t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Kerrin McEvoy| T: W J Haggas| OR: 99| CD

8/1

Winner of a Cl4 C&D handicap last November and has progressed very quickly on the AW since; stayed on strongly when runner up to Heavenly Holly in the 7f Fillies' and Mares AW Championships Final; needs more but almost certain to be rattling home.

Form: 1-12265

Non-Runners

(5)

Fille De Reve⁴³

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: E Walker J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Invincible Army (10/11), Laugh A Minute (5/1), Mr Lupton (5/1), Island Of Life (8/1), Above The Rest (11/1), Encrypted (16/1), Fille De Reve (25/1)

INVINCIBLE ARMY is top-rated on official BHA figures in this prestigious Group 3 AW contest. He headed into last week's Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot on a right roll and although arguably not quite matching the market expectations, he was beaten just over 5L (seventh) by the subsequently retired Blue Point. Fellow dual Group 2 scorer Mr Lupton (who also carries a 5lb penalty) remains unexposed on the AW and is probably the main threat, with the AW proven mare Island Of Life almost certain to be rattling home strongest of all from off the pace.