15:25 Newbury

Saturday 18 September 2021

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

Dubai Duty Free Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 7.13s

(2)

Dawaam^v1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 102| D

20/1

Returned with win at Chelmsford City in April and posted good fifth in handicap at Doncaster (10.2f) 29 days ago, though looked a hard ride. Others appeal more.

Form: 1-18453

(11)

King Leonidas⁴⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 102| BF

13/2

Son of Kingman who created an excellent impression when landing 7f/1m Newmarket novices before good sixth in Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. Remains with lots of potential now handicapping.

Form: 1/16-

(6)

Sam Cooke²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 94

9/1

Had hood left off and back to winning ways in 11.8f handicap at York 29 days ago. Still low mileage, but this drop in trip isn't certain to suit ideally.

Form: 3-60441

(7)

Strait Of Hormuz¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 92| D

16/1

Winless in 2021 but close third in John Smith's Cup at York and ran another good race when fourth in 10f Doncaster handicap 10 days ago. Much respected.

Form: 763884

(8)

Fair Star¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Robinson| T: B Ellison| OR: 89

25/1

Dual Wolverhampton winner in 2020 who recorded another excellent effort there when third in 12f handicap 14 days ago. Makes his turf debut now and no forlorn hope with few miles still on the clock.

Form: 1122-23

(3)

Aramaic¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 94| D

5/2

Improving colt who arrives on a hat-trick after impressive wins in 9f Musselburgh maiden and 10f York handicap, showing a good turn of foot. Has plenty more to offer, and rates a big player.

Form: 5-211

(1)

King Of Clubs²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: H Morrison| OR: 93| D

4/1

Progressing steadily, and he gained second win of 2021 in 10f handicap at Sandown 28 days ago. Likely to do better still, so well in the mix despite 7 lb rise.

Form: 521231

(4)

Mo'assess^p²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Ray Dawson| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 93

9/1

Cheekpieces fitted when easily making it 2-3 in 1m Kempton novice 29 days ago. Up in trip for his handicap debut and not to be underestimated with more to come.

Form: 211

(5)

Injazati²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| OR: 91| D

9/2

Progressive sort who followed up 10f Nottingham novice success with ready all-the-way victory in 10f Newcastle handicap. This is tougher but he's going the right way and shouldn't be dismissed.

Form: 3311

(10)

Further Measure¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Charles Bishop| T: S Kirk| OR: 86

33/1

Ex-French colt who opened his account here in 1m handicap at Chelmsford City 16 days ago, suited by strong pace. This longer trip promises to suit so he's not ruled out.

Form: 134-571

Non-Runners

(9)

Pivoine¹³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 7

T: A M Balding J: Oisin Murphy

Forecasts

Aramaic (5/2), King Of Clubs (4/1), Injazati (9/2), King Leonidas (13/2), Sam Cooke (9/1), Mo'assess (9/1), Pivoine (12/1), Strait Of Hormuz (16/1), Dawaam (20/1), Fair Star (25/1), Further Measure (33/1)

A fascinating handicap, but it's hard to ignore the claims of ARAMAIC who looked a colt really going places when a ready scorer on his handicap bow at York and represents last year's winning yard. Dual winner King Leonidas remains unexposed for the Gosden team and is greatly feared though, despite his absence, with Injazati and King of Clubs also worth a second look in a most intriguing contest.