16:40 Newbury

Saturday 19 August 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:4017:15

Brian Rycraft Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:44 | Winning time: 2m 36.82s

(2)

Dubai Welcome⁴⁰⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: K Shoemark| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 87| D

9/2

Very low-mileage 6-y-o who was twice a runner-up on AW upon returning from a lengthy absence last summer. Possible 14f stretched his stamina on final start in Bet 365 Trophy at Newmarket last July but unlikely to be lacking for fitness on return from another lengthy absence.

Form: 201/229-

(12)

Valsad¹⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: W Buick| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 83| BF| D

11/1

Ready winner of a 4-runner novice (11.6f) last spring. Lightly raced after, creditable third of 14 in handicap at Haydock (14f) on final outing in July. Gelded, proved to be a disappointment (very well backed) at Doncaster in May but in good hands and not one to give up on.

Form: 52143-6

(7)

Croeso Cymraeg²³

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: S M Levey| T: H J Evans| OR: 83| D

16/1

9-y-o who confirmed himself back at the top of his game when landing handicap at Salisbury (12f) for second consecutive season last month. Confirmed he remains in good order when fourth eased in trip at Sandown (10f) since but this tougher facing less exposed sorts.

Form: 229414

(8)

Greystoke⁵³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Charles Bishop| T: A King| OR: 80| D

40/1

In good form on AW and justified good support to resume winning ways back on turf at Chester (12.3f, soft) in May. Seemingly not 100% when well held sixth over C&D when last seen in June and bounce back likely for all he's yet to defy a mark this high.

Form: 222166

(11)

Lion Kingdom^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 83

5/1

Improved with each of his 3 starts as a juvenile and shaped well on 2 of his 3 starts this term, that despite not looking well served by the steady tempo when second at Newmarket (10f) in July. Likely there's more to come from him granted a greater test of stamina.

Form: 431-462

(1)

Eagle Court^h³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: R Kingscote| T: M Blake| OR: 74| D

40/1

Opened account for present yard at Salisbury (12f) in May and having not got home back at 2m next time, quickly returned to form when runner-up behind Croeso Cymraeg at first-named venue in July. However, another who may prove vulnerable to younger rivals in this line up.

Form: 0-02102

(9)

Renardeau¹⁷⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: R Coakley| T: A Stronge| OR: 72| D

125/1

7-y-o who has twice shaped well returning from a lengthy absence, second of 9 in handicap at Lingfield (12f) in February. able to race off 3 lb lower mark back on turf but this looks a tough enough ask back from another 6 months off.

Form: 3355/32

(13)

Scintillante²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 80| D

6/1

Promising sort who opened his account at Chester in July and would probably have been second (finished fourth) had he not been checked in his run at Ascot (12f) last time. Still going right way and he's one to be interested in.

Form: 73-5214

(10)

El Jasor³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: C Fellowes| OR: 80| BF

11/2

Le Havre colt. Promise on second of 3 starts in novice/maiden company and much improved to make winning handicap debut at Redcar (10f) in June, overcoming a pace bias. York run since was underwhelming but likelihood is he remains on a good mark. Up in trip.

Form: 9-2719

(4)

Feud²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 80| BF| D

3/1

Found some improvement upped to this sort of trip when opening account at Haydock (11.6f) 2 starts back and matched that level when runner-up to a fellow 3-y-o at Catterick (12f) 24 days ago, staying on. Yard continue in tremendous form.

Form: 37-5412

(6)

Enochdhu¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: H Crouch| T: J G Portman| OR: 78

12/1

Dual winner at 2 yrs and sharper for reappearance run when successful at Windsor (11.5f, soft) in May.Mixed bag subsequently but he did run up to best (granted run of the race) when second at Sandown (14f, heavy) 17 days ago.

Form: 412792

(3)

Clever Relation^b1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: H Morrison| OR: 77

80/1

Made a winning start at Windsor (10f, heavy) but unable to replicate that either start since, dropping away from 2f out when sixth of 7 in a 10f novice here last month. Steps up in trip for handicap debut and connections quick to reach for the blinkers.

Form: 166

(14)

Order Of Malta²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: David Egan| T: H Palmer| OR: 77| BF

12/1

Much improved having been gelded when landing 4-runner Nottingham novice (10.2f) in July. Could only run to a similar level when fourth on handicap bow at Newmarket (10f) 21 days ago but plenty about him physically to think he can do better still. Up in trip.

Form: 3-5414

Non-Runners

(5)

Vaynor⁵³

Weight: 9-13| Age: 4

T: C Hills J: Tom Marquand

Forecasts

Feud (3/1), Dubai Welcome (9/2), Lion Kingdom (5/1), El Jasor (11/2), Scintillante (6/1), Valsad (11/1), Order Of Malta (12/1), Enochdhu (12/1), Croeso Cymraeg (16/1), Vaynor (25/1), Greystoke (40/1), Eagle Court (40/1), Clever Relation (80/1), Renardeau (125/1)

A winner at Chester 2 starts back, SCINTILLANTE would highly likely have finished runner-up but for getting his run checked at a crucial stage when fourth behind a rapidly improving William Haggas in-mate at Ascot 3 weeks ago. Open to further progress, he can confirm his present mark workable, with fellow 3-y-o Lion Kingdom next best. Valsad, a disappointment at Doncaster in the spring, isn't one to give up on and along with Vaynor, completes the shortlist.