14:55 Newbury

Saturday 14 August 2021

All13:1513:4514:2014:5515:3016:0016:35

BetVictor Handicap (Str)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 1m 26.42s

(3)

Magical Wish¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| D

14/1

Capitalised on a drop in the weights when swooping late to bag 17-runner handicap at Goodwood (7f) 17 days ago. 3 lb rise fair and entitled to remain competitive.

Form: 060331

(4)

Diocles Of Rome²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 90| D

22/1

Useful sort who recorded a cosy success at Newcastle in December. Third at same course in January, and was given a considerate return after 5 months off at Doncaster 4 weeks ago. Should strip fitter.

Form: 921-377

(5)

Ajyaall³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90| D

11/4

Quickly made up into a useful sort last term, winning 2 of his 3 starts. Stepped up on his return when fifth of 17 in 7.9f handicap at York last month, and could easily have more to offer back at 7f.

Form: 121-45

(6)

Aratus²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 94| D

9/4

Free Eagle colt who built on debut to land a Kempton maiden (7f) in November and, on back of a wind op, went in again on return at Doncaster (7f) last month. May do better again now handicapping.

Form: 21-1

(2)

Silver Samurai^h¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: M Botti| OR: 87| BF| D

10/1

Showed improved form back on less testing ground and in a first-time hood when scoring at Doncaster in June. However, wasn't in anything like the same form at Newmarket last time. Bounce back needed.

Form: 328816

(7)

Starshiba^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: David Egan| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 85| D

8/1

Opened account at Kempton in January and was edged out only by a subsequent winner at Goodwood in June. Not disgraced since, including in cheekpieces in International Stakes at Ascot last time.

Form: 164279

(8)

Sunset Bay²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E Walker| OR: 89| CD

7/2

Sturdy filly who is thriving now, defying a 6 lb rise in emphatic fashion to follow up her C&D win at Sandown (7f) 24 days ago. Hiked up 9lb but is still unexposed so the hat-trick is possible.

Form: 6-26211

Non-Runners

(1)

Jack's Point³⁷

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: Tom Clover J: Laura Pearson

Forecasts

Aratus (9/4), Ajyaall (11/4), Sunset Bay (7/2), Starshiba (8/1), Silver Samurai (10/1), Magical Wish (14/1), Jack's Point (20/1), Diocles Of Rome (22/1)

It will require another chunk of improvement for SUNSET BAY to complete the hat-trick but that seems a distinct possibility given her unexposed profile, so she's taken to continue her good work and go in again. Ajyaall and Aratus also have the potential for further progress, while Jack’s Point has fallen to an attractive mark and now has the excellent Laura Pearson taking over in the saddle.