20:10 Newbury

Tuesday 21 June 2022

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

Maurice Adams Memorial Handicap (Str)

Off time: 20:15 | Winning time: 1m 24.75s

(4)

Touchwood²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 77| BF

2/1

Has been knocking on the door and would have gone close to scoring at Brighton 3 weeks ago had he not endured trouble in running. Leading claims dropped in grade.

Form: 461-222

(5)

Alablaq²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P D Evans| OR: 74

11/4

Pair of 6f wins on Lingfield's AW this year. Mostly creditable efforts since, and best of those ridden prominently when third at Leicester in May. Merits respect.

Form: 572133

(2)

Mercurius Power^t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 73

8/1

Won off this mark last year and could be marked up (went off too hard) when fourth at Kempton 13 days ago, so no forlorn hope.

Form: 6216-84

(7)

Angel Amadea²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: C F Wall| OR: 68

5/1

Not fully exposed and shaped with some encouragement when fourth at Kempton on second outing for current stable. Likely to take another step in the right direction here.

Form: 3248-64

(6)

Afta Party^p³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 68

17/2

Maiden who stepped up on his return when runner-up at Ayr (7.2f) a month ago, racing well off the pace but staying on. Hasn't looked the easiest of rides but he's not discounted.

Form: 3767-62

(8)

Dourado^v⁵⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: P R Chamings| OR: 67| D

14/1

Not tasted success since late 2017 but consistency is hard to knock, good second of 8 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW, 7/1) 57 days ago, clear of rest. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 2533-42

(1)

Ebtsama^h1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Tate| OR: 71

12/1

Doesn't appear to be straightforward and has been down the field on her last couple of handicap outings. Hood goes on. Hard to fancy.

Form: 52-2479

Non-Runners

(3)

Eton College¹¹

Weight: 10-1| Age: 5

T: J A Osborne J: Callum Shepherd

Forecasts

Touchwood (2/1), Alablaq (11/4), Angel Amadea (5/1), Mercurius Power (8/1), Afta Party (17/2), Ebtsama (12/1), Dourado (14/1), Eton College (20/1)

TOUCHWOOD arrives in top form and is in a weaker grade of handicap than he's competed in previously this season, so he gets the nod ahead of Afta Party, who finished to good effect when runner-up at Ayr a month ago. Angel Amadea also makes appeal.