17:20 Newbury

Thursday 30 June 2022

All17:2017:5318:2819:0319:3820:0820:40

Laurie Todd Foundation Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 1m 2.59s

(2)

Trusty Rusty²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Mollie Phillips| T: A W Carroll| OR: 70| D

13/8

Successful twice on AW upon joining present yard last summer and she arrives having showed much-improved form to make a winning return at Chepstow (6f) displaying good speed and winning easily. Handicapper has reacted, however.

Form: 23236-1

(3)

Araifjan^p²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Rose Dawes⁽³⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 68| D

13/2

Ran creditably when third of 10 in handicap at Wolverhampton (6f) in April but not scaled same heights in trio of starts on turf/AW since. Mark continues to ease but others arrive with more pressing claims on balance.

Form: 77-3857

(5)

Navy Drums³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Luke Catton⁽³⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 67

9/2

4-y-o gelding who offered little only start as a juvenile but much more encouragement to glean from each of his 2 placed efforts in novice/maiden company this spring, runner-up at Yarmouth (5f) latterly. May do better now handicapping.

Form: 0/32

(7)

Hey Ho Let's Go²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: M R Hoad| OR: 63| D

18/1

Back-to-back winner of 5f handicaps at Lingfield in April and went in again on turf at that venue in May. However, below best on his latest start, hanging badly right and others appeal more on balance.

Form: 116137

(8)

Secret Handsheikh^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: George Bass| T: J Gallagher| OR: 61| D

8/1

Won 4 times in 2021, including a brace of 6f claimers and best effort of present campaign when 2 lengths sixth of 11 in handicap at Sandown (5f) 3 weeks ago, keeping on to be nearest at the finish. Ease in class a plus but while since he won over minimum trip.

Form: 10-0666

(10)

Pull The Lever⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Alex Jary⁽⁵⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 67

9/1

Low-mileage 4-y-o who ran best race on back of being gelded when fifth in a 6f handicap here 9 days ago, headway 2f out, no extra final 100 yds. Worth a crack at this shorter trip on that evidence.

Form: 463-075

(4)

Lothian^p,t1³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: M J Attwater| OR: 59| D

25/1

Shed maiden tag from 1 lb higher mark at Kempton (5f) in October and ran well on 2 of first 3 starts on AW in January. Not at his best at Lingfield in May and tongue tie added to cheekpieces now.

Form: 253838

(9)

Taaqat⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Christian Howarth⁽³⁾| T: J Tate| OR: 63

11/1

Pivotal filly who showed some promise on second of 3 starts as a 2-y-o and progressed again this term, placed in handicaps prior to a respectable second in a Leicester maiden (5f) in May. Should go well again back in a handicap.

Form: 946-332

(6)

Blue Venture²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Gina Mangan| T: A W Carroll| OR: 52| D

10/1

Sole success from 22 starts came over this trip at Chepstow last summer but plenty of good efforts have followed in defeat, runner-up back at that venue 3 weeks ago. Can go well again granted good pace to aim at.

Form: 5244-82

Non-Runners

(1)

Bluebell Time²⁷

Weight: 10-2| Age: 6

T: M S Saunders J: Gina Mangan

Forecasts

Trusty Rusty (13/8), Navy Drums (9/2), Araifjan (13/2), Bluebell Time (15/2), Secret Handsheikh (8/1), Pull The Lever (9/1), Blue Venture (10/1), Taaqat (11/1), Hey Ho Let's Go (18/1), Lothian (25/1)

NAVY DRUMS has shown fair form in hitting the frame in a pair of maiden/novice events at up to 6f since returning from a lengthy absence and, entitled to hold more chance now handicapping, he could be worth siding with to come out on top. Taaqat and Bluebell Time are others to consider, along with Pull The Lever.