16:45 Newbury

Saturday 17 August 2019

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Energy Check Handicap (Div 2)

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 2m 11.10s

(2)

Ocala¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 84| D

7/2

Scored over a mile at Chepstow in May and again over 1m2f at Chester in June. Not disgraced when sixth off this mark at Goodwood last time but may well be handicapped to the hilt now and others make a little more appeal.

Form: 461316

(4)

Jackpot Royale^p¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: G Mosse| T: M Appleby| OR: 83| C

12/1

Interesting jockey booking with rider 1-6 for the yard over the years. Stayed on over extended mile when third at Nottingham latest but has never won beyond a mile and has stamina to prove.

Form: 093039

(7)

C Note^b,t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: P J McDonald| T: H Main| OR: 80| D

12/1

Twice third at Windsor this term over extended 1m3f off 83 but has run less well elsewhere. 3lb lower now though and arguably best at this trip on soft ground. Top rider takes over from apprentice so not without hope for in-form yard.

Form: 853630

(3)

Zzoro¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 78| D

11/2

Solid efforts when runner-up last two outings but doesn't appear to hold any secrets from the handicapper and may need a little more respite before he gets his head in front again.

Form: 47-4622

(8)

Torcello¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Elisha Whittington⁽⁷⁾| T: S Lycett| OR: 74| D

25/1

Won three times at up to 1m4f in 2017 for Andrw Balding then won over hurdles at Tramore last year for Andrew McNamara. Woefully out of form in four starts for current handler and despite 15lb drop cannot be fancied.

Form: 070907

(5)

Ritchie Valens¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Hannon| OR: 80| CD

4/1

Off the mark at ninth time of asking over C&D latest staying on grimly to score by a neck off 76. Up 4lb and ground a little easier so has to raise his game again to follow up.

Form: 236431

(9)

Pour Me A Drink⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 79

5/2

Still unexposed Nathaniel gelding. Won over a mile on handicap bow at Haydock in April then disappointed next time at Sandown (1m2f). Second over 1m1f last time at that track and gives impression would be suited by any easing of the ground.

Form: 53-4152

(1)

Power Of States¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 78

7/1

Won mile novice stakes on debut at Chelmsford last October. Ran badly on April reappearance but has done better in all three starts since. Third last two runs over 1m4f and drop back may be no bad thing. Yard in decent form.

Form: 1-9333

Non-Runners

(6)

Prevent²⁸

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Pour Me A Drink (5/2), Ocala (7/2), Ritchie Valens (4/1), Zzoro (11/2), Power Of States (7/1), Prevent (7/1), C Note (12/1), Jackpot Royale (12/1), Torcello (25/1)

Nothing jumps off the page in this event so a chance is taken on POWER OF STATES who may well improve for the drop back to this trip. Top weight Ocala sets a fair standard and drops two grades into this contest after running at Goodwood last time, and Ritchie Valens comes here on the back of a game C&D success last time out. C Note and Pour Me A Drink are among a number of others in with a chance if things go their way.