15:55 Newbury

Friday 20 September 2019

All13:1513:5014:2014:5515:2515:5516:3017:05

Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes (Listed) (Str)

Off time: 15:58 | Winning time: 1m 24.36s

(4)

Salute The Soldier¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 104| D

4/1

Has twice denied Tabarrak in recent weeks but that rival clearly favoured by the weights here. Rider pulled off a tactical masterstroke last time and something similar will be needed again.

Form: 208211

(9)

Sir Thomas Gresham^t²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: M Dwyer| T: Tim Pinfield| OR: 99

20/1

Last season's form looks less impressive in retrospect. Has faced some tough tests this year and a current rating of 99 looks more accurate. Worth another try at 7f but he needs some of these to underperform.

Form: 3-55594

(3)

Tabarrak¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 112| CD

8/11

Winner of four Listed races, including this in 2017, and has narrowly failed to concede 9-10lbs to Salute The Soldier on last two outings. Favoured by today's terms, particularly on a track where he is 2-2.

Form: 11-4622

(5)

Vanbrugh¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 103| D

8/1

Dual winner in France won a Thirsk conditions race on UK debut. Well beaten on last two starts in Listed company, but official ratings give him a chance of going close against today's rivals.

Form: 150703

(8)

Dirty Rascal^b⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 92| CD

20/1

Debuts for fledgling yard following a hard fought victory over Salute The Soldier in a Goodwood handicap off a mark of 87. That rival has progressed since and is much better off at the weights this time.

Form: 535231

(2)

I Could Do Better^h1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| D

14/1

Picked up three novice races for Keith Dalgleish but has achieved little in better company since joining this yard. Sports a first time hood in search of the required improvement.

Form: 1-1169

(1)

Fille De Reve¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 87| D

25/1

Useful handicapper at her best, but she has struggled for form this season, and has found little under pressure on her last two starts.

Form: 10-8060

(7)

Red Starlight²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| C| D

9/1

Solid handicapper who has been placed in three Listed events this term. Out of her depth last time, but it was still a weak effort. Podium finish possible if back to her best.

Form: 338528

Non-Runners

(6)

Makzeem⁵⁵

Weight: 9-2| Age: 6

T: H & R Charlton J: Jason Watson

Forecasts

Tabarrak (8/11), Salute The Soldier (4/1), Makzeem (11/2), Vanbrugh (8/1), Red Starlight (9/1), I Could Do Better (14/1), Sir Thomas Gresham (20/1), Dirty Rascal (20/1), Fille De Reve (25/1)

TABARRAK has excellent prospects of repeating his success in this two years ago, particularly as his chief rival meets him on 9lb worse terms than when beating him just a neck in their latest clash. Both Red Starlight and Makzeem underperformed last time and a bigger threat may come from Vanbrugh who found 7f on soft ground stretching him at Haydock.