15:00 Newmarket

Wednesday 13 April 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Connaught Access Flooring Abernant Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 10.53s

(1)

Existent^t¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 101| BF| C

12/1

Just a maiden win during his time with the Gosdens but much improved since reinvented as a sprinter by new yard, winning readily over 5f at Chalmsford and Wolverhampton this year. Unlucky (missed break and short of room in final 1f ) when fifth at Lingfield latest. Remains capable of better.

Form: 736-115

(5)

Garrus¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: C Hills| OR: 110| D

5/1

Smart sprinter who bagged his second success of 2021 in Group 3 at Deauville (6f) in August. Not disgraced when fourth of 7 in Doncaster listed on return and ought to be sharper with that behind him. Player under Moore.

Form: 58176-4

(7)

Jumby²⁰⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 106| CD

7/2

C&D winner who added to his good course record when taking a 7f handicap here on his final start last year. Smart performer who is sure to make his presence felt if primed for this reappearance.

Form: 100311-

(8)

Run To Freedom¹⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 99| BF| D

14/1

Winner over 7f on the July Course last summer and improved for the drop to 6f at Kempton on his final 2 starts last term, winning then second in useful handicaps. Has something to find at this level but he is unexposed as a sprinter.

Form: 713912-

(2)

Bellosa^t1¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 101| C

8/1

Started career with wins in 7f maiden and listed here last spring. Confirmed she's a smart filly when returning from 6 months off to finish second in 7f Kempton handicap in December. Tongue tied first time now. Strong traveller and very interesting to see how she copes with the drop to 6f.

Form: 1102-

(6)

Double Or Bubble¹⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: C F Wall| OR: 105| C| D

7/2

Likeable filly who made breakthrough at listed level when comfortably making all at Pontefract (6f) in August. Just as good when second at Group 3 level on next 2 starts and possibly unsuited by softer ground when disappointing in Challenge here on final start.

Form: 921228-

(4)

Ebro River¹⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J P Spencer| T: H Palmer| OR: 113| D

10/3

Landed the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes over 6f at the Curragh last August and good third in National Stakes there next time. Stamina stretched by 7f on soft at Longchamp final start. Escapes a Group 1 penalty and obvious chance.

Form: 544138-

(3)

Last Crusader^p¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: K Shoemark| T: K R Burke| OR: 98| D

20/1

Scored on debut at Ayr (6f) last July and useful form in defeat subsequently, notably when narrowly denied in Redcar Two-Year-Old Trophy on final start. Will need an improved effort to go close in this warm Group 3 on his return, though.

Form: 14662-

Forecasts

Ebro River (10/3), Double Or Bubble (7/2), Jumby (7/2), Garrus (5/1), Bellosa (8/1), Existent (12/1), Run To Freedom (14/1), Last Crusader (20/1)

A good renewal of this Group 3. The classy EBRO RIVER gets away without having to shoulder a penalty for last summer's Group 1 success and can become the first 3-y-o to win this since 1996. Garrus, who has been successful on both previous occasions he's been parterned by Ryan Moore, should strip fitter with his reappearance behind him and can provide the chief threat ahead of Jumby, who is 2-3 at this course.