17:20 Newmarket

Friday 2 August 2019

All17:2017:5018:2519:0019:3020:0020:30

Unibet Handicap

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 1m 11.27s

(7)

Sirius Slew^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: A Bailey| OR: 71

9/1

Placed in only two handicaps to date and both came over this trip with higher handicap marks. Disappointing effort latest over 7f back in maiden company but looks well handicapped enough to bounce back.

Form: 62-2537

(10)

Di Matteo¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: M Botti| OR: 70| D

7/2

Going the right way on AW and won at the fourth time of asking on handicap bow at Wolverhampton in April. Three solid efforts since show her capable but first time on turf today.

Form: 961424

(1)

The Great Phoenix^h1³⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 69

16/1

Similar level of ability when unplaced in trio of maidens last summer for Brendan Powell and doesn't appear to be leniently treated for handicap debut for current yard after long absence.

Form: 506-

(8)

Molaaheth^b1,t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Dane O'Neill| T: R Hannon| OR: 69

7/1

Doncaster second in April hinted at an imminent winner but in 8L and 6L defeats since he has looked a weak finisher. Blinkers now applied in effort to regain the thread.

Form: 36-7258

(13)

Stallone^b1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: R Spencer| OR: 68| D

7/2

Revelled in heavy ground when winning Nottingham 6f handicap off 4lb lower mark last month and has run well enough off revised marks last three starts (got no run latest). Blinkers tried and should be in the hunt for a place.

Form: 491335

(4)

Painted Dream¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 68

12/1

Shaped well and to a similar level in all her first three starts but then struggled on turf and handicap debut. Although only midfield latest at Wolverhampton her 2½L defeat was more like it. Return to turf however tempers enthusiasm.

Form: 42-306

(2)

Lady Monica⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Ffrench| T: J R Holt| OR: 63| D

20/1

Was a surprise 125/1 winner in a novice race at Nottingham (6f) in May but has found life tough in handicaps at Leicester and Ffos Las since. Hard to fancy now although not as hard as at Nottingham.

Form: 00-198

(3)

Gregorian Girl³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 61

5/1

Could argue AW suits best given she's won at Kempton and was second there latest but her 4¼L fourth at Newbury (7f, soft) penultimately suggests she is capable on turf and is one of the more consistent runners here.

Form: 7-14042

(11)

Lordsbridge Boy⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Sophie Ralston⁽⁵⁾| T: D K Ivory| OR: 58

16/1

Modest maiden whose five runs so far have been punctuated by absences; tried over 6f/7f on turf and AW. Both handicaps outings have so far been rather laboured especially last time on a soft surface at Nottingham (7f); little to recommend.

Form: 0566-8

(5)

Aquarius⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Liam Jones| T: M Appleby| OR: 57| CD

8/1

6f winner here on debut but is on a run of 11 now without making the frame and recent efforts suggest she remains regressive.

Form: 468656

(9)

Budaiya Fort^p⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 48

50/1

Finished fourth off 10lb higher on stable debut over C&D in May but has failed to match that since. Little to recommend him and latest handicap drop negated by him being same amount out of the handicap.

Form: 940088

(12)

Diamond Cara¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: David Egan| T: S C Williams| OR: 45

33/1

Failed to beat a rival in three qualifiers and from 6lb out of the handicap on her debut in such she can only be watched.

Form: 0-67

Non-Runners

(6)

Aperitif¹³

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: M L W Bell J: Cameron Noble

Forecasts

Aperitif (9/4), Di Matteo (7/2), Stallone (7/2), Gregorian Girl (5/1), Molaaheth (7/1), Aquarius (8/1), Sirius Slew (9/1), Painted Dream (12/1), Lordsbridge Boy (16/1), The Great Phoenix (16/1), Lady Monica (20/1), Diamond Cara (33/1), Budaiya Fort (50/1)

In what is a very weak race filled with struggling handicappers this looks a really good chance for APERITIF to land the hat-trick after winning with a fair bit in hand at Goodwood and Haydock. Consistent filly Gregorian Girl may be the biggest danger although Di Matteo should also be competitive if as effective on turf (first time today).