Shirley Gill Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 1m 14.51s

(5)

Polybius¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: Hayley Turner| T: D M Simcock| OR: 90| D

8/1

Talented sprinter, ran poor race last time at Ascot, in keeping with 2019 efforts so far, but has slipped to a dangerous mark should be find his best stuff.

Form: 145-666

(1)

Victory Angel²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R Havlin| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 87| CD

14/1

No win for two years now, since he won this contest for previous stable. Failed to beat a rival home at Windsor over this trip most recently and other preferred for now.

Form: 370-407

(3)

Royal Residence⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Shepherd| T: J Tate| OR: 87| BF| D

5/2

Had twice gone close at Ascot and Lingfield prior to clipping heels and unseating PJ McDonald at Nottingham last month on heavy ground. Given time to get over that, worth considering on previous efforts this summer.

Form: 20-632S

(6)

Mokaatil³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁷⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 86

7/1

Both of his wins have come at 5f on turf, most recently on seasonal bow at Pontefract in April. Consistent since over minimum trip, his latest try over 6f on Newcastle's AW once again raised concerns about this trip.

Form: 513409

(2)

Rocket Action^t1⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 87WS

15/2

Son of Toronado, winner over 5f at Newcastle in November in novice event. Didn't handle the track at Newmarket in May, undergone wind surgery since and more suited here. One to note.

Form: 31-230

(4)

Majaalis¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Dane O'Neill| T: W J Haggas| OR: 83| D

5/4

Expensive son of Invincible Spirit, much more like it in narrowly landing Doncaster novice (6f, good to firm; 7-2) this month, showing excellent turn of foot. Now makes handicap debut and should lay down a challenge.

Form: 571

Forecasts

Majaalis (5/4), Royal Residence (5/2), Mokaatil (7/1), Rocket Action (15/2), Polybius (8/1), Victory Angel (14/1)

The likes of Polybius, Victory Angel and Mokaatil all have questions to answer currently. Rocket Action didn't seem to handle the Newmarket track in May and should do better now having undergone a wind op since while Royal Residence was trending in the right direction prior to clipping heels and getting rid of his pilot at Nottingham last month. Clear preference though is for MAJAALIS, after the manner in which he sped past his rivals at Doncaster recently. The expensive colt finds a nice opportunity going handicapping for a William Haggas team enjoying a fine of it.