16:00 Newmarket

Saturday 8 August 2020

All13:4014:1514:5015:2016:0016:3517:1017:40

Betway Handicap

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 1m 23.33s

(7)

Fox Champion⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: S De Sousa| T: R Hannon| OR: 102| D

15/2

Made all when a game winner of the German 2000 Guineas last year, but not much cheer since, and could only plug on at one pace when sixth of 11 behind Judicial in Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle last time. Return to 7f will help, but more needed.

Form: 977-006

(1)

Royal Marine^t¹⁸⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

13/2

Top-class 2-y-o, but he regressed after a creditable fourth in the Craven Stakes here last April, and could run just respectably in a couple of Meydan handicaps earlier in the year. Has fallen to a fair mark, but needs to show he can halt the slide.

Form: 4090-87

(8)

Bear Force One^p³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: W Buick| T: R A Teal| OR: 97| C| D

10/3

Has progressed to win three of his last six starts in handicaps, beating Modern Millie in clear-cut style over 1m here last time. Should be as effective back down in trip, and respected given his positive profile.

Form: 112-831

(3)

Al Rufaa^h¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97| CD

5/2

Needed his return, and has won both starts since, pulling out extra to land a C&D handicap last time by 3L from Swift Approval. Better than the bare facts of that win, and a 12lb rise is not as harsh as it would appear at first glance.

Form: 51-911

(2)

No Nonsense²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Joey Haynes| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 90

66/1

Runner-up in Group 3 Pavilion Stakes last season, but has lost his form completely, and makes very little appeal on the back of two poor efforts this summer.

Form: 6250-00

(6)

Tomfre⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 95| CD

4/1

Won four of his seven starts last year including three at this venue. Shaped well at Sandown on his return, and has had excuses since, meeting trouble when sixth of 8 behind Society Lion at Goodwood last week. Not taken lightly.

Form: 16-7206

(5)

Ziggle Pops¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 89| D

12/1

Improved to land a 7f AW handicap at Lingfield on return. Disappointed in the Britannia at Royal Ascot, but fared better when sixth of 12 to River Nymph over 7f there last time, and now 2lb lower.

Form: 419-106

(4)

Yoshimi²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81| D

10/1

Matched the form of his Newcastle return when seventh in 1¼m Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot, but disappointed at Newcastle last time, and looks to have plenty on his plate dropping back to 7f.

Form: 123-378

Forecasts

Al Rufaa (5/2), Bear Force One (10/3), Tomfre (4/1), Royal Marine (13/2), Fox Champion (15/2), Yoshimi (10/1), Ziggle Pops (12/1), No Nonsense (66/1)

Most of these are struggling for form to some degree or other, but not so AL RUFAA, who was value for a wide-margin win over C&D last month. He can defy a 12lb rise with conditions ideal, with the progressive Bear Force One looking the main threat on recent form despite dropping back in trip. Both Royal Marine and Fox Champion are taking a marked drop in class, and it would not be a shock to see them revived in the circumstances.