15:50 Yarmouth

Thursday 4 July 2019

All14:2014:5015:2015:5016:2016:5017:20

Mickey T 70th Birthday Handicap

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 1m 37.79s

(1)

Star Shield⁶^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: D Nolan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73| D

5/2

Narrow Doncaster winner when getting the better of market rival and the pair finished clear. Both wins have been gained with some give underfoot and he has a 5lb penalty to defy.

Form: 3-74531

(2)

Maratha^t³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: S C Williams| OR: 77| D

16/1

Two years now since his last turf win and form since then suggests that AW surfaces are favoured. He has finished last on his two most recent outings and, although dropped in class, has plenty to prove.

Form: 8084-78

(4)

Glory Awaits^b²²

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Dylan Hogan⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 76| D

14/1

Losses continue to mount and he has 2L to find with Oud Metha Bridge on latest form. Now 4lb better off but whereas that rival is proving hard to beat at present, the opposite applies to him.

Form: 420274

(7)

Oud Metha Bridge²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 73| CD

6/1

Record here now reads two wins and three places and he haas struck up a good partnership with this rider. Needs to improve on previous efforts when conditions have been quick.

Form: 08-5121

(6)

Waqt^p⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Rossa Ryan| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 72| D

13/2

Has won three times for new yard and struck up a good partnership with Rossa Ryan. Has improved with each run this term and promises to go close again if conditions do not get any faster.

Form: 413212

(3)

Lacan¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Joe Bradnam⁽⁷⁾| T: M L W Bell| OR: 66| D

25/1

Has not won on turf since 2014 and last two efforts have not been encouraging. Hard to see him taking advantage of what could be considered a lenient mark

Form: 955280

(8)

Coastline³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: J Tate| OR: 73

8/1

Landed a Newcastle novice contest in March. The way that form has worked out suggests today's mark is a fairer reflection of her ability. Could do better if relaxing more.

Form: 22-174

(5)

Leo Davinci^t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: George Scott| OR: 73| BF

9/4

Has been in good form since conditions have turned that bit softer. Looked unlucky at Leicester last week and has 4lb in hand of his new mark here. Would be hard to beat if coping with faster ground and his pedigree is positive in that regard.

Form: 6-59312

Forecasts

Leo Davinci (9/4), Star Shield (5/2), Oud Metha Bridge (6/1), Waqt (13/2), Coastline (8/1), Glory Awaits (14/1), Maratha (16/1), Lacan (25/1)

LEO DAVINCI has been much improved since going handicapping and everything that could go wrong did so at Leicester last week. Not only did he encounter trouble at the start, but he was denied a clear run when making ground. He is due to race off a 4lb higher mark next time and although conditions are quicker here, his half-sister has won on firm and his sire has produced horses who handle quicker surfaces. In form Oud Metha Bridge looks the main danger, whist Coastline is more favourably treated and could improve if learning to settle. Waqt and Star Shield are others who arrive in good shape but underfoot conditions may conspire against them.