16:25 Newbury

Tuesday 6 August 2019

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

Melbourne 10 'Only 36 Days To Laytown Races' Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 1m 38.82s

(7)

Mr Top Hat⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: P D Evans| OR: 90

11/1

Seems to have hit the season in good form, winning at Chester on his penultimate start and wasn't disgraced when third of 10 at Ripon (1m2f, good) last time. Took a keen hold that day so may appreciate drop in trip. Claims.

Form: 325513

(5)

Qaysar¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 90| C

6/1

Started to show signs of a revival in his most recent runs including when narrow second in similar 7f contest at Sandown last month. Raised 1lb for that effort and is a leading contender if reproducing that effort.

Form: 0-80342

(3)

Wafy²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 90

4/1

Lightly raced four-year-old and gelding operation seemed to work when respectable second behind impressive winner at Ascot (1m2f) on latest start. Drops back to 1m and commands respect.

Form: 7/634-02

(6)

Dawaaleeb^v⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: J L Eyre| OR: 89| BF| D

12/1

Back to form when placed in his last two starts, including when 3L third over this trip at Redcar last time. Back down to his last winning mark and enters calculations.

Form: 2-45723

(10)

Surrey Hope³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Watson| T: H Morrison| OR: 86| D

16/1

Disappointing lately and recent switch to this stable didn't yield a change in form when 8L 10th in 1m Chelmsford handicap. 1lb below last winning mark and will strip fitter but a bit to prove now.

Form: 30006-0

(8)

He's Amazing²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: E Walker| OR: 82

16/1

Hasn't progressed from Windsor victory at the start of the season in three starts since, including when last of six in 1m2f Ascot handicap. Has a bit to find with Wafy on that form and makes little appeal.

Form: 69-1P76

(1)

Salt Whistle Bay⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S De Sousa| T: Rae Guest| OR: 78| D

9/1

Consistent this year without winning and fared better than the result suggested when fourth in 7f Goodwood handicap in June. Step up to 1m is a plus and dropped 1lb in the weights but this is tougher. Each-way claims.

Form: 9-44224

(2)

Athmad^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: B J Meehan| OR: 84| C

14/1

Unable to add to his tally since landing 7f maiden at this track. Raced keenly and didn't appear to fully stay a stiff 1m at Newmarket last time out. Cheekpieces on now but starting to look exposed.

Form: 67-0564

(9)

Ragstone View^h¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: B R Millman| OR: 75| BF| CD

14/1

Slightly inconsistent sort who landed a C&D handicap on his penultimate start before being outpaced in 7f handicap at this venue last time. Back up to 1m for this but looks to be an awkward type.

Form: 022614

(4)

Baryshnikov^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: E Walker| OR: 77

9/4

Six-race maiden. Put in an improved performance when 1L fourth at Ascot last month. Runs off the same mark in this and likely to be stable's first string. Cant be dismissed.

Form: 432-634

Forecasts

Baryshnikov (9/4), Wafy (4/1), Qaysar (6/1), Salt Whistle Bay (9/1), Mr Top Hat (11/1), Dawaaleeb (12/1), Athmad (14/1), Ragstone View (14/1), He's Amazing (16/1), Surrey Hope (16/1)

The resurgent QAYSAR has welcomed the drop in class recently and shaped as if the stiff mile should suit well at Sandown last time. He is the preference to take advantage of some leniency from the handicapper towards him. Wafy didn't fully see out the 1m2f trip last time and the drop back to this distance should play to his strengths and looks a reformed character after the gelding operation, the same applies to Mr Top Hat who should be thereabouts alongside Salt Whistle Bay if he can handle the step up in grade.