18:08 Newbury

Thursday 21 July 2022

All18:0818:3819:0819:3820:0820:38

Donnington Grove Vets Amateur Jockeys' Handicap

Off time: 18:08 | Winning time: 2m 6.66s

(3)

Fast Steps¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Mr Patrick Millman| T: B R Millman| OR: 74| BF

9/2

Epsom novice winner (8.5f) who arrives having run best race for present yard when runner-up in an amateur riders' event over 1m here 2 weeks ago, headed only late on. Longer trip within range and he's lurking on a handy mark.

Form: 007532

(11)

Barenboim²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Fern O'Brien⁽³⁾| T: F O'Brien| OR: 71

28/1

Fairly useful maiden on Flat for Michael Bell (stays 1½m) who has displayed some promise in novice/maiden hurdles for present stable, albeit disappointing at Stratford latest. Still, no forlorn hope back on the level.

Form: 802424-

(2)

King's Castle²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-11| J: Taryn Langley⁽⁵⁾| T: J Tuite| OR: 69| CD

9/1

Well served by return to patient tactics when ending losing run under this pilot in a C&D amateur jockeys' event in June. Kept on to finish fourth at Sandown (1m) 3 weeks ago and this step back up in trip rates a plus on that evidence.

Form: 027014

(10)

Daphne May^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-11| J: Mr Matthew Wilson⁽⁷⁾| T: A West| OR: 69

10/1

Successful return at Lingfield (AW) but form patchy since, fourth of 7 in handicap at Epsom (8.5f, good to firm) 7 days ago. Others appeal more for win purposes back up at 10f.

Form: 135374

(4)

Hotspur Harry^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: George Eddery⁽³⁾| T: R Eddery| OR: 68| D

15/2

Looked right back to his best when scything through the field to score at Nottingham (10.2f) in June. Backed that up with a sound second at York next time but not in quite the same form over C&D 3 weeks ago.

Form: 437126

(8)

Starfighter⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 6| Weight: 10-9| J: Miss Megan Wingrove⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 62| D

16/1

Fallen plenty in the weights and capitalised to end losing run at Beverley (10f) 9 days ago, edged ahead entering last ½f. No surprise to see him out under a penalty and he remains well treated on old form. Not discounted.

Form: 04-6441

(6)

Classy Dame⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Brodie Hampson| T: A Watson| OR: 65| D

7/2

Tasted success 3 time for Robert Eddery in 2021 (all at 1¼m). Bright start for new yard, hitting frame both starts, latterly when 3 lengths second behind King's Castle over C&D 6 weeks ago. No reason why she won't give another good account.

Form: 4-22532

(5)

Study The Stars⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-7| J: Mr Simon Walker| T: George Baker| OR: 65

9/2

Well backed when running out good winner at Wolverhampton (12f) in April and clearly still on a fair mark, beaten only a head over this trip at Chepstow 7 days ago. Sound claims re-united with Simon Walker.

Form: 721272

(9)

Estrela Star¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-7| J: Miss Sophie Smith| T: A Stronge| OR: 65| CD

16/1

Ended long losing run from 6 lb lower mark in this race 12 months ago and back on scoresheet at Chelmsford (14f) in April. Not disgraced when fourth in 8-runner handicap back here (13.3f) 2 weeks ago and he's an each-way player.

Form: 346-214

(7)

My Brother Mike⁴²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Adam O'Shea⁽⁵⁾| T: J T Stimpson| OR: 64| D

10/1

Ended 2021 on a high, making it 3 wins from last 4 starts at Bath (11.6f) in October. Inconsistency has proved his Achilles' Heel so far this year but he did run creditably when fifth behind King's Castle over C&D 6 weeks ago and he's gone well after a break previously.

Form: 269305

(12)

Cirrus^t¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Miss Teagan Padgett⁽⁷⁾| T: M F Harris| OR: 62

66/1

Maiden on Flat. Not disgraced from lowly marks over hurdles for present yard in recent weeks but others make more appeal returned to the level despite operating from career-low mark here.

Form: 655855-

(1)

Emraan^b¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Miss Abigail Voyce⁽⁷⁾| T: P & M Bowen| OR: 56

40/1

Successful on first 2 starts on AW back in 2019/20 but winless thereafter for Ian Williams. Yet to figure for new outfit but did leave the impression he should have finished closer when seventh of 9 in handicap at Nottingham (10.2f, soft) 19 days ago. Blinkers back on.

Form: 704-897

Forecasts

Classy Dame (7/2), Study The Stars (9/2), Fast Steps (9/2), Hotspur Harry (15/2), King's Castle (9/1), Daphne May (10/1), My Brother Mike (10/1), Starfighter (16/1), Estrela Star (16/1), Barenboim (28/1), Emraan (40/1), Cirrus (66/1)

Plenty in with a shout in the opener with the vote in favour of STUDY THE STARS. Successful at Wolverhampton in April, he remains on a fair mark, going down narrowly over this trip at Chepstow 7 days ago, and he could be the answer re-united with Simon Walker. Fast Steps, on the back of his second over 1m here, Beverley-scorer Starfighter and My Brother Mike, at likely longer odds, head up the dangers.