16:25 Newbury

Saturday 23 September 2023

All13:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:2517:00

Conundrum Consulting Handicap

Off time: 16:29 | Winning time: 1m 30.18s

(2)

Spanish Star²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: P R Chamings| OR: 92| CD

13/2

C&D winner who is enjoying a good season, solid third of 6 in handicap at Goodwood (6f, soft) 27 days ago. Not taken lightly off an unchanged mark.

Form: 215473

(9)

Embrace³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: K Stott| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 91| D

13/2

Got off the mark at Wolverhampton (7f) last November but has failed to go on since returning with an excellent fourth in Fred Darling over C&D in April. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 61-4000

(3)

Hodler²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J R Boyle| OR: 87| D

3/1

Resumed winning ways at Chester (on heavy ground) in May but not quite so good since, only fair sixth back there 21 days ago. More is needed despite an easing mark.

Form: 771086

(4)

Marshal Dan⁸⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 86| CD

33/1

C&D winner last October but he's failed to beat a rival in handicaps at Ascot and Newcastle on his last two outings. Others appeal more.

Form: 14-3088

(1)

Pearle D'or^h⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| D

7/2

Better than ever since refitted in a hood, scoring at Ascot (7f) in July before close third of 12 at Chepstow (7f) last month. Strong-travelling sort who may do better still. Has won on soft ground so big shout.

Form: 269213

(10)

Razeyna^b³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 82| CD

9/1

C&D winner who arrives in decent nick, blinkered for 1st time when second of 9 in handicap at Kempton (7f) 31 days ago. Shortlisted with the headgear retained.

Form: 64-3452

(7)

Scholarship³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C G Cox| OR: 84| CD

11/1

Made a successful return in the mud over C&D in April but not in the same form on his 4 outings since, tried in blinkers over C&D last time. Hard to warm to

Form: 0-13069

(8)

Pumalin Park¹⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 82WS

40/1

Lightly-raced colt. Scored at Lingfield (1m) in April but off the track since posting a below-par third in 1m Windsor novice (soft) following month. More is needed on his handicap debut after a break.

Form: 7-13

(6)

Captain Cuddles⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 80| BF

17/2

Yet to score this season but she comes here on the back of a good staying-on second of 12 in handicap at Chester (6f, soft) 8 days ago. Firmly in the picture returned to 7f now.

Form: 793202

(5)

Chelsea Square⁵⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Laura Pearson| T: R M Beckett| OR: 74

50/1

Runner-up in a C&D novice on his debut in May but not matched that in trio of starts since, last of 16 on handicap debut at York (7f) in July. Plenty more is required after a break.

Form: 2930

(11)

Ben Hamrash^p³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: S Hitchcott| T: E Walker| OR: 73| D

9/1

On the up since sent into handicaps and he landed the odds in 3-runner race at Ffos Las (7.4f, soft) 38 days ago. Up 3 lb but he can go well again.

Form: 043121

Forecasts

Hodler (3/1), Pearle D'or (7/2), Embrace (13/2), Spanish Star (13/2), Captain Cuddles (17/2), Razeyna (9/1), Ben Hamrash (9/1), Scholarship (11/1), Marshal Dan (33/1), Pumalin Park (40/1), Chelsea Square (50/1)

A few with chances but PEARLE D'OR arrives at the top of his game and on a handy mark too so gets the vote at the chief expense of Captain Cuddles, who should prove suited by reverting to this trip. Spanish Star and Ben Hamrash are two others who warrant plenty of respect in this competitive handicap.