19:10 Newbury

Tuesday 21 June 2022

All17:2518:0018:3519:1019:4020:1020:40

Greenshields JCB Handicap

Off time: 19:10 | Winning time: 2m 30.74s

(2)

Scarlet Dragon²⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 10-2| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 85| CD

12/1

Winless since 2020 Duke of Edinburgh success and safely held both starts since rejoining Eve Johnson Houghton. However, he's been given a real chance by the handicapper and is dangerous to discount now eased in class.

Form: 5660-60

(7)

Grand Scheme²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 85| CD

13/2

Gelded following 2021 campaign and has resumed in good form this season, finding just one too good on return at Salisbury and successful both starts since, including over C&D last time (good to soft). More needed off revised mark, but couldn't rule out all the same.

Form: 240-211

(6)

Frontispiece⁶⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: K Shoemark| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 85| CD

5/1

Winner of this in 2019 and ended last term with another C&D success, enhancing his good record here (Newbury form figures read 51124712). Clear of the rest when runner-up back here (1¼m, good) on return in April and, still feasibly treated up 4 lb, another bold show is on the cards.

Form: 77331-2

(1)

Parachute³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: W Buick| T: E Walker| OR: 85| D

10/3

Excellent third in hot Royal Ascot handicap 12 months ago and ended last term with a creditable effort (finished fourth of 10) in the C&D handicap won by Frontispiece. Below par so far this season, though (tried in blinkers last time), and his attitude is becoming increasingly questionable.

Form: 604-045

(3)

Miramichi²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 83| C

12/1

Thrived last summer, winning four 1¼m handicaps on the bounce (including here) on good/good to firm. Reappearance fourth at York was encouraging, but subsequent Windsor effort was underwhelming and far from certain to appreciate this step up in trip.

Form: 1124-46

(5)

Blow Your Horn⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 83| D

16/1

Winner of back-to-back AW handicaps last spring, but he's 0-6 on turf and while his latest effort at Newmarket (1½m, good) was respectable enough, others make greater appeal.

Form: 8354-03

(4)

Zain Nights³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 83| C

7/4

Beat subsequent listed winner Lionel (also had the useful Lysander back in third) when landing a heavy-ground 1m novice here in October. Disappointing on return in April (gelded after), but back on track when just touched off on handicap bow here (11f, good) since and he's a big player.

Form: 41-72

Forecasts

Zain Nights (7/4), Parachute (10/3), Frontispiece (5/1), Grand Scheme (13/2), Miramichi (12/1), Scarlet Dragon (12/1), Blow Your Horn (16/1)

Though he's up against younger rivals with more compelling recent form, SCARLET DRAGON is very tempting back into 0-85 company for the first time since winning back-to-back handicaps at this course in 2016. The 9-y-o gets the nod ahead of the 3-y-o in the line-up, Zain Nights, who went close upped to 11f on his handicap bow here last month and, with just four runs under his belt, probably has more to offer. Frontispiece and the hat-trick seeking Grand Scheme also command respect.