17:04 Newbury

Saturday 14 May 2022

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0417:05

Connect It Utility Services Handicap (Str)

Off time: 17:05 | Winning time: 1m 37.34s

(8)

Sinjaari²¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 106

15/2

2020 John Smith's Cup winner who shaped well a couple of times or his current stable last season. Goes very well fresh, so worth chancing on return from 7 months off.

Form: 22/4224-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(9)

Beringer⁶³⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: A King| OR: 102| D

22/1

Smart colt who performed at least respectably on both outings in 2020. Obvious concern that he's not been seen for 21 months, though.

Form: 250227/

(2)

Notre Belle Bete¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 98| BF| D

5/4

Already a three-time winner this season and improved further when third at Newmarket (despite not clear run) a fortnight ago. Another bold showing is on the cards.

Form: 2-11913

(5)

Muraad³⁴⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 96

11/1

Failed to fire in two outings last season and hasn't been seen for 11 months, so plenty to prove on return.

Form: 2219/98-

(4)

Oh This Is Us²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| D

10/1

Listed and Group 3 winner in the first half of 2021 and, although he struggled on the AW earlier this year, he looked back in form when third at Haydock 3 weeks ago. Big player from a reduced mark.

Form: 9-86703

(6)

Forest Falcon¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| D

9/2

Ended last season on the up, winning a brace of small-field handicaps at Carlisle and Yarmouth. Has hit the frame both starts so far this term, but others look better treated.

Form: 5311-34

(3)

Top Secret^h²²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 84

11/2

Scored twice at Ascot last term but below form there (ground perhaps too soft) on final outing in 2021 and might need this first run of the new campaign.

Form: 412210-

Non-Runners

(1)

Rebel Territory¹⁹⁶

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: Mrs A J Perrett J: K Shoemark

(7)

Gifted Ruler¹⁸⁹

Weight: 8-7| Age: 5

T: H Palmer J: Cieren Fallon

Forecasts

Notre Belle Bete (5/4), Forest Falcon (9/2), Top Secret (11/2), Rebel Territory (11/2), Sinjaari (15/2), Gifted Ruler (8/1), Oh This Is Us (10/1), Muraad (11/1), Beringer (22/1)

SINJAARI is at his best when fresh and has the ability to defy a mark of 106, so he gets the nod in an open-looking event. The well-treated Oh This Is Us looks a major threat and another big run from Notre Belle Bete would come as no surprise.