14:50 Newmarket

Saturday 15 July 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

bet365 Mile Handicap

Off time: 14:52 | Winning time: 1m 40.15s

(8)

Highbank²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 96| C

11/1

Winner of 7f maiden on debut here last July and, having been gelded, he acquitted himself well in 3 starts in Dubai during the winter. However, out with the washing back from a break in the Britannia at Royal Ascot and, though eased 2 lb since, he still looks plenty high enough in the weights.

Form: 22-3330

(2)

Bluelight Bay¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 93| D

18/1

Fairly useful form last year and improved when accounting for 6 rivals in a Salisbury handicap (1m, good to firm) 17 days ago. 5 lb rise tolerable but he will need to step another notch if he's to follow up here.

Form: 155-061

(10)

Royal Dubai²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: N Callan| T: M Botti| OR: 92| D

9/4

Winner of the first of his 2 starts in Dubai for former yard and made a successful start for Marco Botti in an AW novice following a wind op in May. Lost no caste in defeat when second on turf/handicap bow at Chester (7.6f, good) last time (Tafreej back in fourth) and he remains of interest.

Form: 1-812

(7)

Quantum Impact²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 91| D

16/5

Dual winner at 2 yrs and added to his tally when striking at York (1m, good to firm) on penultimate start. Shaped far better than the bare result when mid-field off this mark in the Britannia at Royal Ascot since and he's high on the shortlist.

Form: 211-410

(6)

Coco Jack^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Shepherd| T: George Scott| OR: 91

11/1

Won 4 times during productive 2-y-o campaign and appeared to be back to his best when runner-up over 9f at Musselburgh last month. Failed to land a blow at Royal Ascot since, though, and hopes here pinned on the first-time cheekpieces sparking some improvement.

Form: 564728

(5)

Tafreej¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90| D

4/1

Yarmouth novice winner at 2 yrs and wasn't seen to best effect when making the frame in handicaps on first 3 starts of this season. Stepped forward when doing the job well upped to a mile back at Yarmouth recently and 6 lb rise unlikely to debar a bold show here.

Form: 31-3341

(3)

Lose Your Wad²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: C Hills| OR: 89| D

10/1

Muhaarar colt who made it second time lucky in 1m Kempton maiden on reappearance in April. Back on the right track on second start in handicap company when sixth of 15 in the Golden Gates at Royal Ascot (1¼m, good to firm) but no more than an each-way squeak here.

Form: 4-1406

(12)

Nopoli^t¹³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rob Hornby| T: I Mohammed| OR: 87| D

40/1

Successful at Jebel Ali in January but hasn't made much of an impact in 3 subsequent starts. Will need to raise his game on handicap debut/first run on these shores if he's to take a hand in the finish.

Form: 6-1759

(11)

Milteye^p⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: J Fanning| T: J Channon| OR: 76| D

18/1

Showed improved form in first-time cheekpieces when winning a Redcar maiden in May. Return to this trip will be in his favour having found 7f too sharp when fourth in a handicap at Newbury 9 days ago but others make more appeal all the same.

Form: 2-23104

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(1)

Havana Blue¹⁵

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: R L Moore

(9)

Metal Merchant¹

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: J Channon J: K Stott

(4)

Sniper's Eye²¹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: Joey Haynes

Forecasts

Royal Dubai (9/4), Quantum Impact (16/5), Tafreej (4/1), Havana Blue (9/2), Sniper's Eye (7/1), Lose Your Wad (10/1), Highbank (11/1), Coco Jack (11/1), Metal Merchant (14/1), Milteye (18/1), Bluelight Bay (18/1), Nopoli (40/1)

Ralph Beckett saddled Jimi Hendrix to win this race last year and QUANTUM IMPACT is taken to follow in his stablemate's footsteps. The Invincible Spirit colt landed a good York handicap in May and subsequently shaped far better than the bare result at Royal Ascot, leaving the impression that his mark will be well within reach. The unexposed Royal Dubai and progressive types Tafreej and Havana Blue are greatly respected, while Sniper's Eye will be another big player if taking his chance.