16:20 Newmarket

Friday 14 May 2021

All13:0013:3514:1514:5015:2015:5016:20

Betfair Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:21 | Winning time: 1m 14.01s

(2)

Spirited Guest^p¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Morgan Cole⁽⁵⁾| T: G G Margarson| OR: 77| D

15/2

Proved that he handles slow ground when striking off this mark at Yarmouth (6f) last term. Has yet to fire this year though, hanging left when well held at Windsor 11 days ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 713-637

(6)

Sir Oliver^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Jonny Peate⁽⁵⁾| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 75| BF| D

9/4

Quickly got back on track to land a first handicap at Wolverhampton (6f) in February. Good efforts since and remains of interest off his lower turf mark.

Form: 42-4134

(4)

Athollblair Boy²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-12| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: N Tinkler| OR: 75| D

6/1

Built on a series of good efforts to come out on top in 8-runner handicap at Newcastle (7.1f) 29 days ago. Likely to continue in form.

Form: 745241

(11)

Lilkian^b1⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Molly Presland⁽³⁾| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 73| D

16/1

Bounced back to form to make a winning start for Darryll Holand at Kempton (6f) in April. Respectable fourth in a deeper race since, but first-time blinkers need to eke out a bit more.

Form: 40-8714

(10)

Little Brown Trout²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: William Humphrey⁽⁵⁾| T: W Stone| OR: 72| D

14/1

Went close a few times last season. Underperformed on return at Brighton last month but could bounce back from a falling mark.

Form: 82236-6

(1)

Maysong⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Bradley Harris⁽⁵⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 69

14/1

Back on track reverting to patient tactics when third at Newcastle in November, but has generally been below form since.

Form: 0357-77

(8)

Company Minx³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Liam Browne⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Jenkins| OR: 68| D

50/1

Fairly useful handicapper at best but well beaten all 3 starts for current yard.

Form: 530-769

(3)

Global Hope⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Alex Jary⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 68| D

25/1

4-time winner at this trip but has run poorly on his last three starts, including in first-time blinkers at Wolverhampton last time. Enough to prove at present.

Form: 16-3667

(7)

Bezzas Lad^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Frederick Larson⁽⁶⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 66| D

9/2

Proved better than ever when blitzing his rivals at Nottingham on final 2020 start. Satisfactory start for new yard when second in 7f event at Chelmsford and of interest now refitted with blinkers.

Form: 97831-2

(9)

Lordsbridge Boy¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Miss Abbie Pierce⁽¹⁰⁾| T: W J Knight| OR: 65| BF| D

5/1

Went liked the best horse at the weights when only just denied in 7-runner handicap Salisbury (6f, good to firm) on yard debut 16 days ago. Merits respect.

Form: 14482-2

Non-Runners

(5)

Excellent George⁴²

Weight: 9-0| Age: 9

T: S C Williams J: Lorenzo Atzori

Forecasts

Sir Oliver (9/4), Bezzas Lad (9/2), Lordsbridge Boy (5/1), Athollblair Boy (6/1), Spirited Guest (15/2), Excellent George (8/1), Maysong (14/1), Little Brown Trout (14/1), Lilkian (16/1), Global Hope (25/1), Company Minx (50/1)

BEZZAS LAD seems a better model in blinkers, so he looks the most persuasive option back in that headgear following a respectable start for his new yard at Chelmsford last month. Athollblair Boy is likely to continue in form, while Sir Oliver and Lordsbridge Boy also merit respect.