15:05 Newmarket

Saturday 12 August 2023

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

Aspall Suffolk Draught Cyder Handicap

Off time: 15:07 | Winning time: 2m 35.60s

(9)

Sea Grey^v1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-3| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 76

4/1

Winner of sole 2-y-o start for Andrew Balding. Has drawn a blank since but ran well on his first try at around 2m at York 14 days ago. Drop back in trip isn't sure to be beneficial but that form is working out well. Visor on for 1st time.

Form: 205363

(1)

Ready To Shine³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 74| D

10/1

Suited by a test of speed at the trip when off the mark at Thirsk (1½m) in June. Returned to a similar level when second of 10 over 11.5f at Haydock last month and ought to remain competitive under conditions that suit her well.

Form: 207152

(7)

Edge Of Darkness⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J Mitchell| T: C Johnston| OR: 78| D

2/1

Australia gelding who left reappearance run in his wake to land 7-runner novice at Thirsk in May, leading under pressure 3f out and ridden out. Improved again under more testing conditions when following up back in handicap company there (12f, heavy) last week and must be respected in hat-trick bid.

Form: 443-611

(5)

On The Right Track⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Joey Haynes| T: M D I Usher| OR: 67| D

25/1

Bounced back to his best to notch a sixth career success in 3-runner handicap at Bath (11.6f, firm) 56 days ago, showing a superior turn of foot to the favourite. A 3 lb higher mark in deeper race could well find him out, though.

Form: 70-1841

(2)

Tajanis^p³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: W J Haggas| OR: 75

9/4

Improved again in first-time cheekpieces despite still looking green when second of 5 in minor event at Doncaster (11.9f, firm) 36 days ago, albeit flattered by proximity to heavily-eased winner. Makes handicap debut and may do better still.

Form: 532

(10)

Merrijig⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: John Berry| OR: 64

28/1

Fair bumper performer who has made little impact in 3 maidens on the Flat but more realistic chance now handicapping.

Form: 666

(11)

D Day Arvalenreeva¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: K P De Foy| OR: 71| D

13/2

Progressed again to get off the mark on turf/handicap debut at Leicester (11.8f) in May but found her run of good form coming to a halt there last time. Bounce back required.

Form: 754124

Non-Runners

(8)

Heathen¹⁴

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: E A L Dunlop J: David Probert

(4)

Shake A Leg⁵⁶

Weight: 10-1| Age: 6

T: Miss J A Camacho J: Non Runner

(3)

Dashing Panther¹⁵

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: W Stone J: K Shoemark

(6)

Major Major⁷

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: S Hitchcott

Forecasts

Edge Of Darkness (2/1), Tajanis (9/4), Sea Grey (4/1), Dashing Panther (9/2), Major Major (6/1), D Day Arvalenreeva (13/2), Ready To Shine (10/1), Heathen (14/1), Shake A Leg (14/1), On The Right Track (25/1), Merrijig (28/1)

TAJANIS was no match for Sweet William at Doncaster on his most recent outing, but there's no shame in that and he strikes as the type to eke out a bit more improvement now switching to handicap company, so gets the nod to come out on top. Last week's Lingfield-scorer Major Major is up in grade but could well progress further, with Dashing Panther completing the shortlist.