16:20 Newbury

Friday 18 August 2023

All14:0514:4015:1515:4516:2016:55

Christopher Smith Associates LLP Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:24 | Winning time: 1m 25.64s

(7)

Zouky⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: James Doyle| T: P J McBride| OR: 82| C

9/2

Won 6f maiden/novice events on turf at the end of last summer. Has had excuses in trio of starts in much stronger company so far this term, left poorly placed in ultra-competitive York handicap (6f) in June. Worth a crack at 7f and she's an intriguing contender.

Form: 11-500

(6)

Garner^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 80

5/1

Made a winning return/yard debut at Lingfield (6f) in June, making all in convincing fashion. Struggled in class 2 handicap at York next time and not convinced with his stamina tackling this sort of trip the last twice. Cheekpieces go on now.

Form: 31-1057

(5)

Captain Cuddles²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 80

10/3

Landed 6f Salisbury novice last summer and big step forward on opening handicap exploits this spring when third of 9 at Ascot (7f) 21 days ago, handy and keeping on last ½f. One to bear in mind on the back of that.

Form: 551-793

(10)

Mindthegap¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 79

12/1

Much sharper for debut when landing Chelmsford novice (6f) in November. Not at same level in trio of starts this summer, fifth of 7 in handicap at Sandown (1m, heavy) 16 days ago. Possibly worth another try on AW.

Form: 41-755

(3)

Peace Of Mine^h,t1¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: G Boughey| OR: 78| D

20/1

Resumed progress to make a winning return at Nottingham (10.2f, heavy) in April but disappointing on 2 of her 3 starts since, racing freely and dropping away when well beaten in fillies' handicap at Goodwood (1m) 17 days ago. Tongue tie goes on.

Form: 52-1840

(1)

Snuggle^b1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 77

3/1

Knocking firmly on the door in novice/handicap company prior to justifying cramped odds at Windsor (6f, heavy) in May. Good second in C&D handicap next time and whilst below best since, first-time blinkers could put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 321234

(9)

Vape^p³²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: William Cox| T: J L Flint| OR: 71

28/1

Sharper for AW return in April when resuming winning ways at Chepstow (6f) a month later. Not in same form on 3 of 4 starts since though, fading out of things when sixth in 7 runner handicap at Windsor (6f) 32 days ago.

Form: 410246

(12)

Be Prepared^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 69| BF| D

11/2

Confirmed return to form with a dominant display from the front at Epsom (7f) in July and produced another fine effort when runner-up behind a 3-y-o over C&D 22 days ago, headed inside final 1f but keeping on. Well worth considering again.

Form: 067212

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

(8)

Flying Secret⁷

Weight: 9-12| Age: 4

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: Charles Bishop

(4)

Halla Dubai⁵⁶

Weight: 9-11| Age: 3

T: Owen Burrows J: Oisin Murphy

(2)

Hello Zabeel⁴⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: M Blake J: K Stott

(11)

Chelsea Square²⁰

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: R M Beckett J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Snuggle (3/1), Captain Cuddles (10/3), Zouky (9/2), Halla Dubai (9/2), Flying Secret (9/2), Garner (5/1), Be Prepared (11/2), Mindthegap (12/1), Chelsea Square (12/1), Hello Zabeel (14/1), Peace Of Mine (20/1), Vape (28/1)

Steadily progressive in novice company, HALLA DUBAI possibly found his early exuberance blunting his finishing effort when fourth on handicap debut at Goodwood (1m) in June. Returning from 56 days off with his yard in good form, he's worth another chance to prove his mark a workable one partnered by Oisin Murphy. Captain Cuddles, following his good Ascot third, and Be Prepared are others to consider, whilst Zouky is another worth keeping an eye on.