17:35 Newmarket

Saturday 19 September 2020

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:35

Close Brothers Invoice Finance Amateur Jockeys' Cambridgeshire Handicap

Off time: 17:36 | Winning time: 1m 51.74s

(3)

Balgair³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr R Birkett| T: Tom Clover| OR: 80| BF

12/1

Now lurks below last winning mark and has struck at this venue before, but he failed to get the job done in a thinner race at Bath last time. Still, this 1f longer trip promises to be within range.

Form: 40-3433

(5)

Angel's Whisper²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Alice Haynes| T: Miss A Murphy| OR: 79

7/1

Fine start to present campaign in landing back-to-back 1m, Pontefract handicaps. Encouraging efforts over hurdles have followed and not ruled out back on the level.

Form: 2580-11

(10)

Make Haste Slowly¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-13| J: Miss Sophie Smith| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 79

18/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark on handicap debut at Kempton (11f) in July but easy to back twice since and well held on turf/AW. Needs to get back on the up now.

Form: 323159

(9)

Geranium⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-12| J: Miss Serena Brotherton| T: H Morrison| OR: 78

3/1

Well found in the market when resuming winning ways at Sandown (10f) in July and similar form when third at that venue 8 days ago, keeping on well inside final 1f. Each-way claims once more.

Form: 50-9163

(4)

Stringybark Creek⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: B Roberts| T: D Loughnane| OR: 75| D

16/1

Fallen in the weights and caused a surprise to score in good style at Chester (7.5f) 8 days ago, close up from a wide draw and keeping on well. However, not sure to replicate that here.

Form: 464491

(13)

Luna Magic²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: A Watson| OR: 72| BF| D

11/1

6-y-o mare who scored 3 times upon joining present stable last year. Caught the eye returning from a break when fifth at Goodwood (9f) in August, making effort earlier than ideal and one to consider.

Form: 1982-35

(12)

Sweet Reward¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr J Harding| T: J G Portman| OR: 77| BF| D

5/1

Improving 3-y-o who opened account at Newbury (9f) 2 starts back and having had that form franked, again shaped well when second at Sandown (10f) 3 weeks ago. High on shortlist again.

Form: 86-5312

(6)

Biotic¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Joanna Mason| T: B R Millman| OR: 68

20/1

Successful from 1 lb higher mark under this pilot at Sandown (1m) last season. Mixed bag this campaign and his slow starting is a concern here.

Form: 5-04284

(1)

One To Go²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Miss K Leahy| T: A Watson| OR: 68

33/1

Just 1 win on turf but returned with a good run in a similar event at Newbury (12f) in August. However, unable to back that up at Goodwood next time.

Form: 132057

(11)

Phoenix Approach³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: Mrs Emily Roberts| T: T D Easterby| OR: 69| BF

4/1

Powered clear to open account from a 7 lb lower mark at Beverley (10f) and matched that form without being seen to best effect when fourth back there next time. Remains one to be interested in.

Form: 56-3614

(8)

Herodotus¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Miss A Peck| T: G Boughey| OR: 67

80/1

Fair gelding who capitalised on drop in to claiming company to score at Windsor (10f) in July (final start for Andrew Balding). Not really kicked on for new yard since though and others preferred.

Form: 013670

(7)

Destroyer⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Miss Becky Smith| T: T P Tate| OR: 62

10/1

Course winner who resumed winning ways at Leicester (1m) in June. Dispelled a blip when runner-up back at that venue last month and fancied to give another good account.

Form: 0-75102

Non-Runners

(2)

Locked N' Loaded²

Weight: 10-9| Age: 3

T: T J FitzGerald J: Mr Tommie M O'Brien

Forecasts

Geranium (3/1), Phoenix Approach (4/1), Sweet Reward (5/1), Angel's Whisper (7/1), Destroyer (10/1), Locked N' Loaded (10/1), Luna Magic (11/1), Balgair (12/1), Stringybark Creek (16/1), Make Haste Slowly (18/1), Biotic (20/1), One To Go (33/1), Herodotus (80/1)

A solid-looking handicap with the vote in favour of PHOENIX APPROACH. Tim Easterby's 3-y-o scored in good style at Beverley in August and did well to finish as close as he did when fourth back at that venue last time. His mark remains a workable one and another bold showing looks on the cards. Sweet Reward is of a very similar ilk and is feared, ahead of Luna Magic and Angel's Whisper.