17:05 Newmarket

Thursday 23 September 2021

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Newmarket Challenge Whip Handicap

Off time: 17:08 | Winning time: 2m 3.17s

(6)

Red October^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 87| D

17/2

Doubled his tally for the season when on the right end of a close finish at Lingfield in August. Found it tougher under a penalty back down in trip at Newcastle so needs to pull out a bit more.

Form: 812218

(7)

Babindi⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| BF| D

5/2

Back on the up when winning a shade comfortably at Bath in July and ran creditably from a 5 lb higher mark when second in small-field affair at Nottingham since. Should continue in form.

Form: 8-22412

(3)

War Leader⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: A Kirby| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 79| D

11/1

Come good back at 1¼m, bagging handicaps at Yarmouth and Chelmsford in decisive fashion. Below best next 2 starts but returned to form when third at Newbury last time.

Form: 611043

(4)

Balearic^v1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: W Buick| T: P & O Cole| OR: 78| D

3/1

Posted an improved effort to win his 1st race on turf in 3-runner handicap at Chepstow in July. Below form both starts since but the handicapper has relented so not discounted in first-time visor.

Form: 153164

(2)

Bashful²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 75

9/2

Maintained his run of placed efforts when third 1½ lengths third of 8 to Red October in handicap at Lingfield (12f, AW) 28 days ago. finishing with running left. Can give another good account.

Form: 222323

(5)

Rhebus Road³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: Jane Elliott| T: R M Beckett| OR: 70

8/1

Confirmed previous promise in first-time visor when decisive winner of 1m4f handicap at Beverley in July. Proved a let-down at Doncaster and then did too much too soon at Windsor last time.

Form: 933143

(1)

Dr T J Eckleburg⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 69| D

17/2

Winner over this trip at Ayr in June and ran well from a poor position at Carlisle (extended 11f) next time. Paid price for big move into contention at Haydock latest so still one to be interested in.

Form: 425126

Forecasts

Babindi (5/2), Balearic (3/1), Bashful (9/2), Rhebus Road (8/1), Dr T J Eckleburg (17/2), Red October (17/2), War Leader (11/1)

A trappy contest but DR T J ECKLEBURG was shaping up well in handicaps over this trip in mid-summer and could have a bigger performance in the locker back from a break. Bashful can give another could account, with Balearic also worthy of consideration in a first-time visor having been cut some slack by the assessor.