14:05 Newmarket

Saturday 19 August 2023

All14:0514:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

JenningsBet Grey Horse Handicap

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 1m 12.12s

(11)

Silver Samurai²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 87| D

17/2

Dual 6f winner last season who has been operating below best in the main this season but definite step back in right direction when fifth in 9-runner C&D handicap 3 weeks ago, faring best of those held up. Well handicapped if he can put it all together.

Form: 490065

(14)

Mitrosonfire²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Greg Cheyne| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 85| CD

9/2

Won this race back in 2021 and ended last season with a string of consistent efforts on turf/AW up to 7f whilst looking in the grip of the assessor. Steadily back to form in 4 starts this term and this rates more suitable than his latest assignment in the International handicap at Ascot.

Form: 34-7430

(6)

Mister Bluebird^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: George Wood| T: H Main| OR: 84| D

10/1

Versatile sort who resumed winning ways at Goodwood (7f) in June. Creditable efforts next 2 starts whilst suggesting handicapper has him about right and probably found International handicap too tough at Ascot on latest run 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 231650

(1)

Celtic Champion¹⁸⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 87| D

6/1

6f novice winner as a juvenile who dispelled a lesser effort at Southwell (6f) in January when running out a good winner at Lingfield (6f) a month later, overcoming the run of the race. Gelded subsequently and he may yet have more to offer back on turf.

Form: 3415-51

(15)

Divine Libra²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: C Hills| OR: 86| D

3/1

Impressive when opening account at Catterick (7f) in April and career-best display when doubling career tally in handicap at Chester (6f, heavy) in July. Fine third in class 2 C&D handicap followed 3 weeks ago and claims operating from same mark.

Form: 4-14513

(13)

Music Society¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Ben Robinson| T: T D Easterby| OR: 81| D

14/1

Signed off 2022 with a heavy-ground success at Catterick. Failed to add to tally this year though shaped as if back in form when fifth in handicap at Goodwood (6f, heavy) 2 weeks ago, closing from further back than ideal. Operating from last winning mark.

Form: 834205

(12)

Secret Guest⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S W Kelly| T: B Smart| OR: 83| D

14/1

Career best when winning 9-runner handicap at Doncaster (6f, good to firm, 6/1) in May, drawing clear quickly. Creditable third at Nottingham thereafter and essentially lost all chance with a very slow start at York (6f) later in June. Remains early days.

Form: 18-8130

(5)

Magical Max^t⁵⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: I Furtado| OR: 76| C| D

9/1

Well backed and belatedly capitalised on falling mark in 7f handicap here in June, doing plenty wrong early but showing good attitude to prevail. Seemingly kept fresh since and revised mark shouldn't prevent him going well again.

Form: 203681

(8)

Devil's Angel³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 76| CD

22/1

Dual 5f/6f winner in 2022 who wasn't disgraced when third at Beverley (5f) on penultimate start in June. However, proved disappointing at York (6f) 5 weeks ago and whilst he's fallen to a handy mark, he's not looked like capitalising of late.

Form: 07-0030

(16)

Strike²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 70| CD

15/2

Landed this race from a 3 lb lower mark 12 months ago and gradually worked his way back to form in recent months, pushing a well-treated sort close over 7f here 4 weeks ago. Just the one win to his name but no surprise to see him give a good account.

Form: 37-8532

(10)

Masterclass⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: C Lee| T: D M Simcock| OR: 70| D

22/1

Never fired first 3 starts this term but capitalised on drop in grade/returned to sprinting when landing 4-runner Yarmouth handicap (6f) 9 days ago. More on his plate back up in class, however.

Form: 23-6741

(3)

Blue Flame^t¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 66

100/1

Raced mostly on AW and yet to fully fire for current yard, well below best in a C&D handicap on just his second turf start 15 days ago.

Form: 62-5989

(4)

Gunmetal²³

Age: 10| Weight: 8-3| J: F Norton| T: B R Johnson| OR: 62| CD

80/1

Veteran. C&D winner who has been lightly raced in recent season and he offered little following 16 months off on debut for this yard at Doncaster (6f) 23 days ago. Needs to leave that well behind if he's to play a part in this stronger affair.

Form: 0346/9-0

(9)

Brian The Snail^p¹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 8-2| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: P Morris| OR: 61| D

28/1

Not the force of old but confirmed previous promise when registering easy success at Ripon (5f) in June. Back to that sort of form when third at Carlisle (5.8f) last month and raced on wrong part of track when eighth at Bath (5.7f) 10 days ago. Still, this a tough ask.

Form: 218738

(2)

Lethal Angel^v³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 8-2| J: J Quinn| T: B R Johnson| OR: 60| D

80/1

Successful 3 times at Brighton (5.2f) upon joining this yard during second half of last season. However, not fired in trio of starts so far this time around, including in change of headgear at Epsom latest. Visor refitted now.

Form: 120-555

Non-Runners

(7)

Star Of Lady M¹⁴

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: D O'Meara J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Divine Libra (3/1), Mitrosonfire (9/2), Celtic Champion (6/1), Strike (15/2), Silver Samurai (17/2), Magical Max (9/1), Mister Bluebird (10/1), Star Of Lady M (12/1), Secret Guest (14/1), Music Society (14/1), Devil's Angel (22/1), Masterclass (22/1), Brian The Snail (28/1), Lethal Angel (80/1), Gunmetal (80/1), Blue Flame (100/1)

CELTIC CHAMPION has been absent since February but he impressed when doubling his career tally at Lingfield on that occasion and, appealing as being on a handy mark returned to turf, Andrew Balding's 3-y-o remains one to be positive about. Magical Max belatedly cashed in on his much-reduced mark over 7f here in June and he can also figure with a 56-day break no problem. Low-mileage Divine Libra, Silver Samurai and last year's winner Strike complete the shortlist.