17:08 Newmarket

Saturday 29 October 2022

All13:0313:3814:1314:4815:2315:5816:3317:08

Christmas Parties at Newmarket Handicap

Off time: 17:10 | Winning time: 1m 28.72s

(11)

Bernardo O'Reilly⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: Mr Taylor Fisher⁽⁷⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 86| D

14/1

Scored at Doncaster in March and back on-song of late, third in the Ayr Silver Cup before finishing fifth at Newbury (6f, heavy). Return to this trip looks a good thing and he was third in this off a similar mark last year, so there's cause for optimism.

Form: 643435

(7)

Alablaq^t1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: P Cosgrave| T: P D Evans| OR: 83| D

10/1

Gained the latest of this year's three wins at Newbury (7f, good to firm) in June. Largely acquitted himself well since and he's pretty versatile ground-wise but he'll probably need some respite from the handicapper before striking again.

Form: 183335

(18)

Ataser⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: N Callan| T: T Kent| OR: 83| D

17/2

Back on scoreboard off a 1 lb lower mark on the July course here (7f, good) in June. Mixed bag since and while return to this trip will help (contested races over 6f/1m on last 3 starts) and conditions won't be an issue, others make more appeal from a win point of view.

Form: 015084

(5)

Hodler³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 85| BF| D

17/2

Notched third success of what has been a progressive campaign when seeing off Marlay Park at Epsom (7f, heavy) last month. Clear of the rest when a close second to that rival over the same C&D (good) since but this 3 lb higher mark means that more is needed.

Form: 561312

(9)

Love De Vega¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 83| D

22/1

Signed off last season on a winning note and doubled his tally on return/handicap bow on the other course here (7f, good to firm) in July. However, more miss than hit since and it could spell danger if the word 'soft' appears in the going description.

Form: 1-15377

(14)

Riot^p³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 81| D

12/1

Kempton novice winner for the Gosden yard at 2 yrs and some good form to his name last year, not least when third in a Royal Ascot handicap. Has made the frame on 2 of his 3 starts for new yard following an unsuccessful stint in Ireland and dangerous to discount off this career-low mark.

Form: 065304

(8)

Pocket The Profit^h¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: R L Moore| T: G Boughey| OR: 83| D

6/1

Won 4 on the bounce at 2 yrs and perfect start to this season when landing a 6f Pontefract handicap (heavy) in April. Has failed to add to that since (tendency to miss the kick often proving costly) but has a big run in him off this mark if things drop right and further rain would be a big plus.

Form: 576307

(12)

Kingmania²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽⁷⁾| T: C F Wall| OR: 80| D

18/1

Winner of 2 of her 3 starts during a truncated 2021 campaign but it's been a struggle this time round and she appears to be well-served by fast ground.

Form: 4-70570

(2)

Astral Beau²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S W Kelly| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 81| CD

7/2

On the up since equipped with cheekpieces, winning on the July course (7f, good) in August before following over this C&D (good to firm). Good second on slower ground at York last time, pulling clear of the rest, and another bold show is on the cards.

Form: 437112

(10)

Dancing To Win^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: David Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 79| D

9/1

Proved better than ever on just her second start for new yard when striking at Lingfield (7f, good) in May. Solid efforts at Kempton and over this C&D since returning from a break last month and, with the forecast conditions no problem, she needs a second look.

Form: 00-5132

(3)

Lord Rapscallion^t,v⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 78| D

28/1

Five-time winner in Ireland and would be in with a real shout if he were to put his best foot forward off this reduced mark with the tongue strap/visor refitted. However, he's 0-27 for present connections and the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 932649

(1)

Swatch^p1³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Brisland| OR: 78

22/1

Showed promise in a C&D maiden (soft) on sole 2-y-o start and opened his account under Jim Crowley in 1¼m AW maiden during the spring. No show in handicaps since returning from a break but possible that dropping back in trip/first-time cheekpieces will help and he's now reunited with Crowley.

Form: 4-5109

(4)

The Mouse King⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Sam Feilden⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 78| D

33/1

Off the mark in good style when running out the 7-length winner of Southwell handicap (7f) in August. By no means disgraced when 3½ lengths sixth to Astral Beau back on turf over C&D last month and may get closer to that rival now with Sam Feilden's back aboard, armed with a handy 7 lb allowance.

Form: 282136

(17)

Priscilla's Wish¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: P J McBride| OR: 75| D

12/1

Has thrived at Yarmouth during the second half of this year, completing the five-timer there (7f, good to soft) recently. This 6 lb higher mark doesn't look insurmountable by any means but up in grade now and it remains to be seen if she can continue the good work away from Yarmouth.

Form: 211111

(15)

Justcallmepete²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: D C Costello| T: H J Evans| OR: 73

18/1

Hasn't done a great deal wrong since gaining breakthrough success in a 6f Southwell handicap during the spring. Shaped well when fourth over the same C&D back from a 3-month break recently, leaving the impression that he's well worth another try over this trip.

Form: 126764

(13)

Toophan⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Rossa Ryan| T: P & O Cole| OR: 72

28/1

Little impact in 3 starts for Roger Varian and nearer last then first back from 4 months off for new yard on AW/handicap debut (also first run following a wind op) over a mile at Chelmsford last weekend. Too soon to write off but others are more appealing all the same.

Form: 6887

(16)

Cubanista²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Joey Haynes| T: Mrs P Sly| OR: 69| BF| D

25/1

Did the job well when opening his account at Yarmouth (7f, good to soft) in June and good second at Leicester next time. However, turned over at short odds the last twice and yard saddles a stronger candidate in Astral Beau.

Form: 341264

Non-Runners

(6)

Dreams Of Thunder²²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: Miss A Murphy J: Daniel Muscutt

Forecasts

Astral Beau (7/2), Pocket The Profit (6/1), Hodler (17/2), Ataser (17/2), Dancing To Win (9/1), Alablaq (10/1), Riot (12/1), Priscilla's Wish (12/1), Bernardo O'Reilly (14/1), Kingmania (18/1), Justcallmepete (18/1), Dreams Of Thunder (20/1), Love De Vega (22/1), Swatch (22/1), Cubanista (25/1), Lord Rapscallion (28/1), Toophan (28/1), The Mouse King (33/1)

There are admittedly risks involved with POCKET THE PROFIT given his propensity to miss the kick, but the ability is there if things drop right and 7f on this stiff track with conditions likely to be in his favour make the 3-y-o a tempting proposition. It's worth noting that he wasn't beaten far under Ryan Moore in a Class 2 handicap here off a 2 lb higher mark during the spring. The upwardly mobile Astral Beau is greatly respected, while Justcallmepete and Riot are others to consider.