18:05 Newbury

Tuesday 6 August 2019

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

Seventeen Group Races Won By Oakgrove Graduates Handicap

Off time: 18:06 | Winning time: 2m 8.07s

(13)

Sashenka⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Mahon⁽³⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 77

14/1

Consistent sort. Didn't need to show vast improvement to land 7f Lingfield maiden (good to soft) on latest start but still needs to prove she stays and races from 3lb out of the handicap.

Form: 2221

(12)

Ritchie Valens¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 76

6/1

Well-held in stronger handicaps at the start of the season before finishing creditable third in novice company at Salisbury (1m2f, good to firm) last time. Record now stands 0-8 and slightly more needed to win.

Form: 323643

(11)

Alandalos¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 76

13/2

Four-race maiden but has slowly improved with each start this season. Improved for this trip with staying on second at Sandown on latest start and should give a good account of herself in this.

Form: 4-342

(2)

Tammooz⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 76| BF

6/1

Took form to a new level since being upped to 1m4f. On the same mark for recent third in Newcastle handicap and the step back in trip should prove to be no issue. Leading chance.

Form: 83-523

(8)

Isolate⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Meade| OR: 74

6/1

Shaped encouragingly on handicap debut when third behind a rapid improver at Newmarket (1m4f, good) last time. Remains on the same mark for that effort and while he needs to kick on, he has claims.

Form: 3363

(6)

Jack D'Or²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: L P Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 74

10/1

Four-race maiden but rapid improver in his last three starts, including when 3L third on handicap debut at Kempton (1m). Step up in trip should suit and commands respect for last year's winning connections.

Form: 6-323

(9)

Daryana¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 72

25/1

Regressed from recent promising Newmarket effort when last of seven in 1m2f Sandown handicap last month. Needs to prove she stays and others make more appeal.

Form: 9047

(10)

Edmond Dantes⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: D Menuisier| OR: 72| BF| D

12/1

Made a near-perfect start to life in handicaps but couldn't take advantage of escaping a penalty when seventh in 1m2f Newmarket handicap. Up 5lb now to revised mark and has a bit to prove.

Form: 967-217

(7)

Fantastic Blue⁶⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: I Mohammed| OR: 71| BF

10/1

Four-race maiden who found life tough on handicap debut with 8L sixth at Nottingham (1m2f, good) in early June. That was off a break and entitled to strip fitter but best watched for this.

Form: 503-6

(3)

Mandocello⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Charlie Bennett| T: B R Millman| OR: 71

11/1

Got loose pre-race but showed improvement to land 1m Windsor handicap on debut in this sphere. 4lb rise seems fair and remains on a workable mark. Solid contender.

Form: 8631

(5)

Aubretia¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 69

16/1

Hasn't progressed since good second at Newmarket three starts ago didn't shape as a stayer (despite not getting a clear run) when sixth in 1m2f Leicester handicap. Plenty to prove now against classier opponents.

Form: 975-256

(4)

Extreme Force²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: J & A O'Neill| OR: 69

100/1

Well beaten in three starts since switching to this yard and gelding operation didn't seem to work with 25L 11th over 1m here last time. Readily opposable.

Form: 3274-90

(1)

Stone Mason⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 68

8/1

Failed to build on promising debut at Wetherby in two starts since. Switches to handicap company after 15L sixth in 1m2f Sandown maiden with a bit to prove.

Form: 366

Forecasts

Ritchie Valens (6/1), Tammooz (6/1), Isolate (6/1), Alandalos (13/2), Stone Mason (8/1), Fantastic Blue (10/1), Jack D'Or (10/1), Mandocello (11/1), Edmond Dantes (12/1), Sashenka (14/1), Aubretia (16/1), Daryana (25/1), Extreme Force (100/1)

A typical trappy Newbury handicap to end proceedings which looks like a good opportunity for MANDOCELLO to continue his upward trend. The form of his Windsor victory has been frankly significantly with the runner-up winning since and is expected to thrive on the step up in trip. Tammooz is proven over further and there is no stamina doubts, but could find this trip on the sharp side while Alandalos and Jack D'Or have shaped well without winning in handicap company so far and it could be the same case in this.