16:45 Newmarket

Thursday 24 September 2020

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

Bentley Motors Handicap

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 38.45s

(1)

Scottish Summit¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: S H James| T: G A Harker| OR: 89| D

7/1

Strong traveller who got off the mark for the season in 8-runner heavy-ground contest at Redcar last month. Typically went with zest in a better race at York but failed to finish race off over 10f.

Form: 232210

(6)

Ballard Down^v²⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 88| D

50/1

Didn't really take to hurdling for David Pipe and looked a hard ride when last of 4 on stable debut at Southwell in January. Lots to prove.

Form: 86116-4

(3)

King Ragnar^b1⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Ray Dawson⁽⁵⁾| T: R Varian| OR: 90

5/2

Reacted well to first-time cheekpieces when successful at Leicester in July. Placed all 3 starts since, showing improved form when a head second at Yarmouth a week ago. Same mark here.

Form: 321332

(8)

First Winter^p³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 88| D

6/4

Came good with cheekpieces added in 1¼m Windsor novice in July and displayed a willing attitude back in trip when successful at Sandown a month ago. 3 lb rise looks lenient.

Form: 2-42131

(7)

Triple Distilled^v1¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: N Tinkler| OR: 83

22/1

Third-place finish at Ayr in July aside, he's yet to get going this season, never really carrying a win threat in first-time cheekpieces at Leicester 17 days ago. Visor now on back up in trip.

Form: 007376

(5)

Mujid³³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Cosgrave| T: M Wigham| OR: 81| D

25/1

Maiden winner at Killarney on second start for Dermot Weld in May 2019. Failed to build on that after and changed hands for 40,000 gns later October. Gelded ahead of reappearance.

Form: 618457-

(2)

Queen Gamrah²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85| D

10/1

Dual AW winner and easily best effort on turf when fifth of 10 in a minor race over this trip at Ascot 3 weeks ago. More needed back in a handicap.

Form: 112-545

(4)

Rodin²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 79

13/2

Steady improver this year, scoring at Lingfield (7f, turf) in June prior to finishing second at Kempton and the July course. Unable to continue the good work since.

Form: 412206

Forecasts

First Winter (6/4), King Ragnar (5/2), Rodin (13/2), Scottish Summit (7/1), Queen Gamrah (10/1), Triple Distilled (22/1), Mujid (25/1), Ballard Down (50/1)

FIRST WINTER displayed a willing attitude when successful on his first try over 1m at Sandown a month ago and with the form of that race working out pretty well, a 3 lb rise is unlikely to prevent a very bold follow-up bid. King Ragnar's runner-up effort at Yarmouth last week was a personal best and he has the same mark to work with, so he's the obvious threat.