16:55 Newbury

Friday 18 August 2023

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

BetVictor Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 16:57 | Winning time: 2m 11.26s

(7)

Carp Kid^p²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Mr Taylor Fisher| T: J L Flint| OR: 70| D

7/1

Back down in trip, capitalised on a career-low mark when scoring at Windsor (10f) in July and followed up with a ready success at Chepstow later in the month. Respected in his current form.

Form: 094611

(9)

Meleri⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Luke Catton| T: J R Boyle| OR: 66| D

6/1

Sole success came in handicap at Newmarket (10f) last June and, following a low key reappearance, returned to form when fourth in the corresponding race at Newmarket this year. Can give her running again.

Form: 2457-64

(5)

Benjamin Bear¹⁷⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽³⁾| T: A King| OR: 65| D

25/1

Ran to a fair level when opening his account at Leicester (10f) in June. However, form has gone the wrong way since, including over hurdles on his last 2 starts (bled when pulled up in February). Has something to prove at present.

Form: 6/28150-

(4)

Moonfleet Moment¹¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽³⁾| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 67

11/1

After 5 months off (gelded), showed more than previously when sixth of 9 in minor event at Wolverhampton (7.2f) in April, though never a threat. Further improvement required as he goes up in trip for his handicap debut.

Form: 88-6

(3)

Al Hargah^b⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Alec Voikhansky| T: R Hannon| OR: 66

85/40

Much improved when getting off the mark at Leicester (8.2f) in July and has been holding her form well since, needing a stronger gallop when runner-up at Windsor (10f) 5 days ago. Major player.

Form: 481232

(1)

Imperial Cult²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Shariq Mohd⁽⁵⁾| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 59

11/4

Has been in good heart in 3 starts since joining his current yard, running creditably when third at this course (12f) 22 days ago. Remains a maiden, though, so needs to find more as he drops back down in trip.

Form: 66-3253

(11)

Mrembo^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Olivia Tubb⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Portman| OR: 58| C| D

11/2

Resumed winning ways at the course (11f) in June and has continued in good form since, no extra in the dying strides when third of 14 at Sandown (10f) 23 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 574133

Non-Runners

(2)

Precision Storm¹³³

Weight: 10-4| Age: 6

T: D M Loughnane J: Tyrese Cameron

(8)

Lady Reset¹⁵

Weight: 10-2| Age: 7

T: D Pipe J: Aiden Brookes

(10)

Eton Blue²⁹

Weight: 9-12| Age: 5

T: George Baker J: Connor Planas

(6)

The Bay Warrior²⁴

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: M D I Usher J: Oliver Searle

Forecasts

Al Hargah (85/40), Imperial Cult (11/4), Mrembo (11/2), Meleri (6/1), Carp Kid (7/1), Eton Blue (7/1), Lady Reset (10/1), Moonfleet Moment (11/1), Precision Storm (12/1), Benjamin Bear (25/1), The Bay Warrior (25/1)

AL HARGAH has been holding her form well since opening her account at Leicester in July, not getting the race run to suit when beaten only a neck at Windsor 5 days ago, so she can get back to winning ways this time around. Heading the list of dangers are Eton Blue and Carp Kid, with the former not seen to best effect when the pair met at Chepstow last month.