14:00 Brighton

Tuesday 2 July 2019

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3017:00

Racing Staff Week 2019 Handicap

Off time: 14:11 | Winning time: 1m 21.84s

(9)

Confrerie²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 61| CD

10/3

Gone up 8lb after recording back-to-back wins at this course, the latest an apprentices race over C&D; slightly stiffer test but has only finished out of the money once when racing here. Solid chance again.

Form: 6P4311

(8)

Blessed To Empress⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 60| BF| CD

8/1

Well suited by this course - won over C&D on her penultimate start - and her rider switches from Confrerie, so can use his full 7lb claim. Needs to bounce back from a poor run last time.

Form: 768217

(5)

Avorisk Et Perils²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 57

40/1

Form on the Flat and in three bumpers has been very modest so far; improvement needed.

Form: 057

(3)

Fiery Breath^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Probert| T: R Eddery| OR: 57| D

12/1

Has a squeak on the pick of his AW form but turf displays have left a lot to be desired prior to this; now has something to prove.

Form: 67-0229

(1)

Pearl Spectre^v⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P S McEntee| OR: 57| D

3/1

Chasing a tenth win from what will be race number 72 of his career so far; but he's 0-7 on turf and needs to dig a little deeper than he did here last time; the return to 7f will help, so he's worth a betting check at least.

Form: 623942

(6)

Hedging^b¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Georgia Dobie⁽⁷⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 57| CD

7/2

Dropped a long way in the ratings and has hinted at a return to form lately; responded well for this rider last time out and very feasible the partnership can again make the frame at least on these terms. Another to consider.

Form: 55-9623

(4)

Middlescence^b,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Victor Santos⁽⁷⁾| T: L Egerton| OR: 53

8/1

Respectable effort over a mile at this course latest; faded inside the final furlong so the drop to 7f looks a logical move. The blinkers are retained and feasible the gelding can go close again.

Form: 370794

(7)

Harlequin Rose^v²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: P R Chamings| OR: 45| C

8/1

Task complicated by being 1lb out of the weights but wasn't beaten far by old rival Confrerie (who was apprentice ridden) latest; and is actually better off at the weights this time; likes this course so has to merit an interest again.

Form: 3223-83

(2)

Two Faced⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: Mrs L Pearce| OR: 45

80/1

Still unexposed but has rarely threatened to win a race before now and not hard to omit from the betting plans on unfavourable terms here.

Form: 000-680

Forecasts

Pearl Spectre (3/1), Confrerie (10/3), Hedging (7/2), Harlequin Rose (8/1), Middlescence (8/1), Blessed To Empress (8/1), Fiery Breath (12/1), Avorisk Et Perils (40/1), Two Faced (80/1)

CONFRERIE goes well at Brighton and is the obvious starting point as he chases a quick-fire hat-trick of course wins; Harlequine Rose is an old rival who can throw down a strong challenge despite racing from just out of the weights, while Pearl Spectre and Hedging have reasonable claims on these terms and are also worth considering as viable alternatives to the selection.