14:21 Newbury

Saturday 16 July 2022

All13:1513:5014:2114:5615:3016:05

Highclere Castle Gin Cup Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 14:21 | Winning time: 3m 35.76s

(6)

Withhold^v1³⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: James Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 105| CD

6/1

Smart gelding who produced best effort of last term when second of 20 over extended 20f at Goodwood in July. Never figured in Cesarewitch on his final start in October and Chester reappearance will have blown the cobwebs away. Visor replaces cheekpieces.

Form: 84320-6

(4)

Reshoun^p²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 101| CD

6/1

Useful stayer who landed Ascot Stakes in 2021. Not seen to best effect in latest renewal of that race and relished emphasis on stamina when second in the Queen Alexandra Stakes a month ago. Revised mark asks for more.

Form: 8-40552

(5)

Rock Eagle^t³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-5| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98| D

4/1

Useful and consistent gelding who proved he retains plenty of ability when sixth behind the progressive Contact at Haydock (11.8f) understandably a bit fresh on back of 14 months off. Tongue tied and also a bit free in the Ascot Stakes. Back in trip and big player.

Form: 1/322-68

(8)

Going Gone³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 96

7/2

Ended last season on the up over 12f, winning 2 of his last 3 starts and picked up where he left to go in again at Epsom (12f) in April, digging deep under pressure. Saw out new trip well when excellent fourth in the Ascot Stakes. Good claims.

Form: 161-134

(3)

Diamond Bay²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: David Probert| T: T Ward| OR: 85

7/2

Very progressive in the last year or so, winning 4 times in all and ran right up to form when a narrow second at Salisbury 24 days ago. Same mark here and return to 2m in his favour so has to be of serious interest.

Form: 2-18042

(1)

Auriferous²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 84

9/2

Novice winner at Southwell in March and better form in defeat in handicaps since, sticking to his task when fifth in the Northumberland Plate 3 weeks ago. Likely to give it another good shot.

Form: 122845

Non-Runners

(2)

Gold Maze²⁹

Weight: 9-0| Age: 5

T: J A Osborne J: David Egan

(7)

Rainbow Dreamer²¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 9

T: A King J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Diamond Bay (7/2), Going Gone (7/2), Rock Eagle (4/1), Auriferous (9/2), Reshoun (6/1), Withhold (6/1), Rainbow Dreamer (8/1), Gold Maze (12/1)

GOING GONE exceeded expectations when fourth in the Ascot Stakes last month, and from just 2 lb higher, this 4-y-o stayer looks one to keep on the right side of. Diamond Bay is also on the up, while Rock Eagle can do some damage from his current mark, particularly if he can settle early.