Newmarket Challenge Whip Handicap

Off time: 17:54 | Winning time: 2m 7.25s

(5)

Evania¹²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy| OR: 85| D

8/1

All 3 wins on AW. Last of 9 on sole turf start, albeit it was a listed event. Not at best when sixth of 9 on Kempton's AW when last seen in May. Back on a winning mark but might be using this to gear up for a return to AW.

Form: 8-16696

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

The City's Phantom^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: N Callan| T: R Spencer| OR: 80| D

9/4

Back to best when third over this trip at Epsom in June but he wasn't in anything like the same form when last in a Racing League handicap at Windsor 6 weeks ago. Freshened up since.

Form: 046-030

(4)

Promoter^b1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82

9/2

Has been a little disappointing in recent starts but his mark has come down as a result and it's possible he'll benefit from today's first-time blinkers. His stable won this in 2021.

Form: 5-55055

(3)

Pjanoo^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: R Spencer| OR: 82

9/4

Won a 1m Windsor Racing League handicap in August. Good close of fourth in 10 in another Racing League event at Wolverhampton (8.6f) since, his effort worth marking up slightly given he was forced wide from his outside stall. Big player under Buick.

Form: 69-2814

(2)

First Officer⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: David Egan| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 74| D

9/2

Seems to be going through the motions at present, faring no better in cheekpieces (left off now) on the July course here when last seen 7 weeks ago. Needs to stage a revival.

Form: 400359

Forecasts

The City's Phantom (9/4), Pjanoo (9/4), First Officer (9/2), Promoter (9/2), Evania (8/1)

It may pay to narrow this year's Challenge Whip down to the pair of 3-y-os. PJANOO's last 2 efforts in Racing League handicaps look very solid form in the context of this race and he's preferred to Promoter who has been a little disappointing so far this year but is one who could react well to blinkers.