14:45 Newbury

Tuesday 6 August 2019

All14:1514:4515:2015:5016:2516:5517:3018:05

Donnington Grove Veterinary Surgery Handicap

Off time: 14:49 | Winning time: 1m 26.46s

(2)

After John⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Shepherd| T: M R Channon| OR: 84

3/1

Impressive winner of a Pontefract novice on penultimate start (form has been significantly franked) before hanging badly when eighth in 7f Newmarket handicap. Still off a workable mark and claims if bouncing back.

Form: 3218

(5)

Nefarious²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 82| D

7/2

Has gone well without winning in his last four starts and arguably ran a career-best when narrow second in 7f Kempton handicap last month. Interestingly dropped 3lb for that effort which makes him a leading contender.

Form: 572332

(6)

Assimilation²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 81| D

11/1

Belatedly broke his maiden tag in 7f Wolverhampton handicap last time out after some promising efforts. 6lb rise seems harsh and this looks a tougher contest. Bit of improvement needed.

Form: 222481

(3)

Shorter Skirt¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 81| C

12/1

Impressive 3L winner at this venue over 6f on penultimate start before tame eighth in 6f Newmarket handicap (good to firm) latest. Needs to bounce back and failed on sole start at this trip.

Form: 5-16618

(7)

Strict Tempo¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 79

2/1

Looked out of sorts at the start of the season before returning to form when runner-up at Salisbury (7f, good to firm) in July. Still on a workable mark and leading claims if backing up that run.

Form: 26-5572

(1)

Chatham House¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 78| BF

6/1

Consistent without winning in his career so far including when narrow third at Chelmsford (7f) on his latest start. Still has the scope to notch a win and should be in the mix.

Form: 3-27343

(9)

Hieronymus^v1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S W Kelly| T: S Durack| OR: 76

50/1

Struggling for any form in his two latest starts, failing to beat a rival home and looks largely reliant on a first-time visor sparking a return to form.

Form: 54428-7

Non-Runners

(4)

Celebrity Dancer²⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: K A Ryan J: James Doyle

(8)

Hawridge Storm⁴⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: B R Millman J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Strict Tempo (2/1), After John (3/1), Nefarious (7/2), Chatham House (6/1), Celebrity Dancer (6/1), Hawridge Storm (8/1), Assimilation (11/1), Shorter Skirt (12/1), Hieronymus (50/1)

Despite failing on his handicap debut, AFTER JOHN is the preference to get back to winning ways in this contest. The form line of his Pontefract victory are strong (runner-up Qutob has won two starts since) and is in much calmer waters than he contested last time. Chatham House has done very little wrong apart from win during his career to date and has a victory in him in time, but may find one to good once again, while Nefarious is dangerous to ignore especially with the handicapper gifting him a chance to get back to winning ways.