17:05 Newbury

Thursday 6 July 2023

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

BetVictor Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:09 | Winning time: 1m 1.45s

(4)

Level Up^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: Owen Lewis⁽³⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 71| D

11/1

3-time winner on AW upon joining this yard and belatedly confirmed himself as effective on turf when second at Windsor (5.1f) 2 starts back. Did best of the trio that went off hard when again runner-up at Chelmsford (5f) 2 weeks ago and he's not out of things.

Form: 166722

(1)

Penguin Island⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Laura Coughlan| T: H Candy| OR: 70

13/2

Remains a maiden but found only one too good for third successive start back from 7 months off at Wolverhampton (6f) in April. Probably best not judged too harshly on her subsequent Kempton fourth and this drop back in trip will hold no fears back from 64 days off.

Form: 8422-24

(10)

Symbol of Hope^p⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Connor Planas| T: G Harris| OR: 67| D

5/1

Returned in rude health this term, landing pair of Bath handicaps (at up to 5.7f) and filled the frame both starts at that venue subsequently. Possible the handicapper has him about right but he should continue to give a good account.

Form: 06-1133

(3)

Secret Handsheikh^b²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 66| D

9/2

Successful at Brighton in April but well below that level all 3 starts since, eighth of 9 in handicap at Sandown (5f) 3 weeks ago.

Form: 6-81758

(2)

Bluebell Time⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽³⁾| T: M S Saunders| OR: 58| D

6/1

Tasted success on return at Bath (5f) last spring but essentially operated below best thereafter. Mark has eased plenty as a result and not disgraced when fifth in 13-runner Chepstow handicap (5f) in May.

Form: 567-845

(7)

Joy Choi⁷³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jordan Williams| T: M S Saunders| OR: 57

6/1

Winless last season and she failed to take a step forward from comeback run when eighth of 12 in handicap at Windsor (6f, heavy) in April. Absent since but better showing not ruled out from career-low mark with yard amongst the winners.

Form: 4540-68

(8)

Therehegoes¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Shariq Mohd⁽⁵⁾| T: R Brisland| OR: 56| D

17/2

Won at Windsor (5.1f) in June and maintained good form on AW subsequently, headed final strides having done best of those ridden prominently when second at Lingfield (5f) 2 weeks ago.

Form: 235132

(9)

Don't Fight It⁶⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Mr Taylor Fisher| T: S Woodman| OR: 60| D

40/1

Dual 5f winner at 2 yrs for Keith Dalgleish but not yet scaled same heights for present stable, including back from 5 months off when sixth in 8-runner handicap at Brighton (5.3f) in May.

Form: 32197-6

(11)

Hey Ho Let's Go¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Aidan Keeley| T: M R Hoad| OR: 48| CD

25/1

3-time winner last year, including in this race from a mark in the 60's. Been operating below best on turf/AW so far this campaign though, so not the easiest to weigh up at present.

Form: 765856

(6)

Get Off Me^p1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Alec Voikhansky| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 55

12/1

Lightly-raced maiden. Third of 4 in handicap (11/1) at Lingfield (6f, good to firm) 24 days ago, weakening before final 1f. Handicap debut effort at that venue previously contained a bit more promise and it does remain early days with him. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 06643

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 5p in the pound

Non-Runners

(5)

Ray Vonn⁷⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: B Brookhouse J: Mr Bradley Furniss

Forecasts

Secret Handsheikh (9/2), Symbol of Hope (5/1), Joy Choi (6/1), Bluebell Time (6/1), Penguin Island (13/2), Therehegoes (17/2), Level Up (11/1), Get Off Me (12/1), Ray Vonn (12/1), Hey Ho Let's Go (25/1), Don't Fight It (40/1)

This has a wide-open feel and it could be worth siding with PENGUIN ISLAND. She's gone close from similar marks previously and with the return to the minimum trip holding no fears on the back of a short break, it would come as no surprise to see make a bold bid. Symbol of Hope has been in good heart at Bath and is a threat, with Ray Vonn one to monitor also. Level Up completes the shortlist.