13:15 Newbury

Saturday 17 August 2019

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

Energy Check Handicap (Div 1)

Off time: 13:15 | Winning time: 2m 12.86s

(5)

Sputnik Planum^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: P J McDonald| T: M Appleby| OR: 84| D

7/1

Won both starts in 2018, one over this trip on soft ground at Doncaster. Absent a year prior to last four runs and shown he retains his ability. Plenty of weight, but only beaten a length last time and easy ground will suit.

Form: 11-8204

(1)

Monoxide¹¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Meade| OR: 83| D

12/1

Won Chelmsford 1m2f h'cap off 3lb lower mark last November, but only one run since when burst blood vessel and last of five at Yarmouth in April. Absence a concern and has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 92551-5

(8)

Hazm²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Tom Marquand| T: Tim Vaughan| OR: 81

14/1

Won bumper in March and has had three Flat starts and one wind surgery since June. Unexposed and makes handicap bow having finished 50/1 second in Salisbury 1m2f novice last time. Untested on soft ground so any more rain might be a concern.

Form: 842

(2)

Secret Art⁶⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: S De Sousa| T: G & J Moore| OR: 79| D

20/1

Veteran nine-time winner who has been better on AW in recent years than turf. Been eased 10b in all after two poor runs on turf this season and was virtually tailed off last time out. Jockey booking a positive though.

Form: 5-57830

(9)

Qarasu²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 85| BF| D

9/4

Won Windsor 1m2f soft ground novice with plenty in hand penultimate start but long last of nine on handicap bow at HQ last time was too bad to be true. Remains an interesting contender for in-form team.

Form: 2-315

(3)

Murray River^b¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 83| D

4/1

Top yard remains in great form. Won Lingfield 1m2f AW h'cap in February but not seen since. 7lb higher and not proven on this surface, but market support would bolster punter confidence.

Form: 73253-1

(10)

Caravan Of Hope¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 81

4/1

Has gone very close in two of three career starts including in soft ground on debut at Carlisle. Beaten just a short-head at Wolverhampton last time (1m4f) and makes handicap bow off workable mark for handler in good form.

Form: 242

(4)

Uther Pendragon^p¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: J S Moore| OR: 73| D

16/1

Plenty of placed effort but only 2-34 overall. Eased 3lb after tame effort on quick ground at Bath last time. Handles give underfoot but doesn't jump out as the most likely winner in a fair race.

Form: 413606

(6)

Sashenka¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L P Keniry| T: S Kirk| OR: 75

11/1

Big chance on Newbury soft ground second to subsequent Ribblesdale winner in April over C&D then won 7f Lingfield maiden in June. Poor handicap debut over C&D latest but ran too free under apprentice. Eased 2lb and senior rider takes over.

Form: 22218

Non-Runners

(7)

Fearless Warrior⁴⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: Andrea Atzeni

Forecasts

Qarasu (9/4), Caravan Of Hope (4/1), Murray River (4/1), Sputnik Planum (7/1), Sashenka (11/1), Monoxide (12/1), Hazm (14/1), Uther Pendragon (16/1), Fearless Warrior (16/1), Secret Art (20/1)

SASHENKA appeared to do too much too soon under her apprentice rider here last time but on previous form has solid claims in a wide-open affair. If ridden with a little more restraint by her more experienced rider she has every chance. Murray River represents the champion trainer and is respected, although his absence is a slight concern, and Qarasu was reportedly unsuited by the ground when running a shocker at HQ last time. He is surely better than that. Handicap debutants Caravan Of Hope and Hazm are both of some interest, while top weight Sputnik Planum is another to consider.