21:00 Newbury

Thursday 6 July 2023

All17:0517:3518:0518:4019:1519:5020:2521:00

BetVictor Race Series Cup Handicap (Str)

Off time: 21:01 | Winning time: 1m 38.66s

(6)

Flying Spirit^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Gina Mangan⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 72

10/1

Found some improvement, in first-time cheekpieces, when good fifth of 12 in handicap at Wolverhampton (8.6f, 8/1) 17 days ago. Can race off same mark here but yet to prove as effective on turf.

Form: 0312-95

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Clarko's Back²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 69| D

11/2

Off the mark on return at Kempton (8f) in May and seemingly failed to stay when below form seventh at Chelmsford City (10f) since. Not ruled out on turf debut.

Form: 850-17

(5)

The Jackler^b1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: B J Meehan| OR: 68

10/1

Fair form shown on all his 4 starts but failed to improve under an aggressive ride on handicap bow at Newmarket (10f) latest. Bit to prove in first-time blinkers.

Form: 6247

(11)

Yellow Lion¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 67| BF

10/3

Posted creditable efforts the last twice, latest when second of 6 in handicap (2/1) at Bath (10.2f, firm) 19 days ago. Back down in trip. Merits consideration.

Form: 534732

(2)

Exertive⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 67

14/1

Lightly-raced maiden who took a step forward when second of 7 in handicap at Windsor (8.1f, heavy) on return 52 days ago, albeit no match for winner. Entitled to build on that but others look better treated.

Form: 954-2

(7)

Sea The Buckthorn¹³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Hayley Turner| T: M D I Usher| OR: 66

50/1

Thrice-raced maiden who hasn't been seen since disappointing effort in maiden at Chelmsford City (8f) in February. Probably best watched on yard/handicap debut.

Form: 4-37

(12)

Lunar Landscape⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 65

5/1

Stepped up on reappearance run when fifth of 8 in handicap (9/1) at Salisbury (8f, good to firm) 8 days ago. Likely capable of better so warrants respect.

Form: 40-05

(4)

Ranger Thunderbolt¹⁹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: K Stott| T: R Brisland| OR: 65

18/1

Thrice-raced maiden. Not seen since seventh of 10 in minor event at Lingfield (10f, AW) 6 months ago but remains open to improvement now sent handicapping.

Form: 657-

(8)

Tea Sea²¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Watson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 61

50/1

Hinted at ability in 3 runs at Kempton last year but not seen for 7 months and opening handicap mark could have been kinder. Gelded since last run.

Form: 070-

(9)

J J Stingleton^p²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 60| D

12/1

Back on the up when close fourth at Bath (8f) in May and shaped as if still in good form when respectable fourth of 9 in Lingfield handicap (8f, AW) since, ridden too aggressively. Others more persuasive, though.

Form: 731-044

(3)

Island Luck⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Hannon| OR: 57

6/1

Much improved when second of 10 on handicap debut at Kempton (7f) 8 days ago. Can race off same mark here and holds solid claims.

Form: 9872

(10)

Golden Phase⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: George Rooke| T: D J Coakley| OR: 53

8/1

Lightly-raced maiden who shaped well when 4½ lengths fourth of 12 to Clarko's Back in handicap at Kempton (8f) 43 days ago, left with lot to do. Should have more to offer and is an interesting contender.

Form: 95-54

Forecasts

Yellow Lion (10/3), Lunar Landscape (5/1), Clarko's Back (11/2), Island Luck (6/1), Golden Phase (8/1), Flying Spirit (10/1), The Jackler (10/1), J J Stingleton (12/1), Exertive (14/1), Ranger Thunderbolt (18/1), Tea Sea (50/1), Sea The Buckthorn (50/1)

Preference is for GOLDEN PHASE, who wasn't seen to best effect when fourth on handicap debut at Kempton in May and remains with potential. Island Luck and Lunar Landscape head the list of dangers.