20:05 Newmarket

Friday 18 August 2023

All17:1017:4518:2018:5519:3020:05

LB Group Handicap

Off time: 20:05 | Winning time: 1m 39.10s

(9)

Intellogent⁴¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: A Kirby| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 100| D

17/2

Failed to build on previous promise when twenty fifth of 30 in Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (8f, good to firm) and refused to race at Sandown since, so plenty to prove temperament wise.

Form: 07-460R

(4)

Bopedro¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: H Crouch| T: D O'Meara| OR: 98| D

3/1

Irish Cambridgeshire winner in 2021 who struck for this yardon Rowley course (1m) in April. Placed twice since and has shaped as if still in top form in competitive events recently. Can take a hand if they go quick.

Form: 267300

(3)

Bear Force One^p⁵⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: N Callan| T: R A Teal| OR: 96| CD

13/2

Quirky sort but capable when in the mood, as he reiterated when landing a 1m Newbury handicap (good to firm) in decisive fashion in May. Found it all too much in the Royal Hunt Cup since but looks a bigger player in this lesser contest.

Form: 731010

(5)

Azano⁵⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: R Havlin| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| D

12/1

Useful front-runner who hasn't really been firing lately, failing to beat a rival at Redcar 55 days ago. Might bounce back after a break.

Form: 4-52536

(7)

Finn's Charm¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 98| D

10/1

Resumed with 1m win in Musselburgh handicap and also posted a good second in the German 2000 Guineas in May. Disappointing in competitive handicaps since but this looks a bit easier.

Form: 9-14200

(8)

Arqoob¹¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Saffie Osborne| T: W Jarvis| OR: 92| D

10/1

Useful operator on the Flat and has won over hurdles since last seen in this sphere. On a handy mark if he's tuned up for his first run in 111 days (has left Lucy Wadham).

Form: 010430-

(2)

Repertoire²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 82| D

15/2

Latest win at Rowley course in May and has held form well since. Likely to be on the premises, although strong pace is important to him.

Form: 716528

(1)

Lose Your Wad³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 87| D

5/1

Muhaarar colt who was off the mark at the second attempt in 1m Kempton maiden on reappearance in April. Has held his form since but isn't progressing and looked a tricky ride when sixth over C&D last time.

Form: 4-14066

(6)

Sudden Ambush^t1⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 86| D

7/1

Career best when winning 5-runner handicap at Windsor (8.1f, good to firm, 3/1) 48 days ago, all out. Tongue strap on 1st time. Enjoying a productive campaign and there's probably more to come, so boasts leading claims.

Form: 125161

Forecasts

Bopedro (3/1), Lose Your Wad (5/1), Bear Force One (13/2), Sudden Ambush (7/1), Repertoire (15/2), Intellogent (17/2), Finn's Charm (10/1), Arqoob (10/1), Azano (12/1)

SUDDEN AMBUSH didn't have anything to spare when scoring at Windsor last time but he's an upwardly-mobile 3yo up against mostly more exposed types, so he's fancied to go in again. Bopedro and Repertoire are both likely to feature, particularly if the leaders go too quick.