14:00 Newbury

Friday 17 May 2024

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0016:3517:1017:40

Ultimate Travel Company Apprentice Handicap (Str)

Off time: 14:02 | Winning time: 1m 40.47s

(6)

Marsh Benham^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Ethan Jones| T: George Baker| OR: 70| D

8/1

Ungenuine type who is entitled to be all the sharper for his recent Brighton (7f, good) effort returning from 6 months off. Step back up in trip should suit.

Form: 45613-7

(12)

Bella Veneta^h⁶⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Mia Nicholls| T: D Faulkner| OR: 70| D

66/1

Off the mark at the third attempt in a novice at Bath in April 2022 but struggled on both subsequent starts that year. Has plenty to prove returning from 22 months off for a new stable.

Form: 88199/

(2)

Dream Pirate^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Sam Feilden| T: T Kent| OR: 69| D

6/1

Both wins last year came on soft but wasn't in the same form as on return when mid-field at Wetherby (8f, soft) 19 days ago. Bounce back required.

Form: 129-726

(11)

Landlordtothestars⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Liam Wright| T: H J Evans| OR: 69| D

12/1

Won twice over the winter but no longer looks progressive, only fifth of 11 in handicap at Lingfield (8f, AW) just over 6 weeks ago. Back on turf and could be sharper here.

Form: 13-1245

(10)

Grey Fox^t¹⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: Owen Lewis| T: Miss E C Lavelle| OR: 69| D

10/1

Without a win since summer 2022 and shaped as if needing the run after 8 months off when down the field at Windsor (10f, good to soft) 18 days ago. Dropped 3 lb and could have a say in proceedings returned to 1m.

Form: 53340-7

(7)

Darvel^b²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Olivia Tubb| T: P R Chamings| OR: 68| D

5/1

Returned at the top of his game after 6 months off to resume winning ways in decisive fashion at Bath (8f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago, going with bags of enthusiasm. Not certain to be in the same form here, but a 3 lb rise is more than manageable.

Form: 69329-1

(4)

Serious Look¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Archie Young| T: D Faulkner| OR: 67

22/1

No impact on both starts for this yard this year after leaving George Boughey. Can only be watched.

Form: 5556-09

(13)

Amathus^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Elle-May Croot| T: P R Chamings| OR: 65

33/1

Won twice on turf last season and probably needed the run after 6 months off at Brighton (7f, good) 17 days ago. Back up in trip and market check advised.

Form: 18353-8

(9)

Unsung Hero¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jack Doughty| T: H Main| OR: 65

33/1

Standout effort last year came when fourth at Newcastle (7f) in September. Returns from 6 months off and may well need this outing.

Form: 07/0040-

(5)

French Martini¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Anna Gibson⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 65

80/1

Tailed off on both starts since leaving H-F. Devin. Mark tumbling but needs to show plenty more.

Form: 2440-00

(3)

Johnjay²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Mikkel Mortensen| T: R A Teal| OR: 64| D

11/8

Won at Bath first time out last year and matched that form after 10 months off when third there (8f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago. Fancied to be in the shake-up from the same mark.

Form: 8/1364-3

(8)

Gavi Di Gavi^p³⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: Millie Wonnacott| T: A King| OR: 62| D

14/1

Looked back in good form despite the race not being run to suit at Kempton in January but not so good back there the last twice. Has a much lower turf mark to work with so shouldn’t be underestimated.

Form: 275-277

(1)

Baikal^t²³¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Alexander Fielding⁽³⁾| T: A West| OR: 61

50/1

Sprung a surprise over hurdles at Worcester last May and doubled his tally at Southwell in September. Added to a patchy record when pulled up at former track later that month and not seen since.

Form: 6/05789-

Forecasts

Johnjay (11/8), Darvel (5/1), Dream Pirate (6/1), Marsh Benham (8/1), Grey Fox (10/1), Landlordtothestars (12/1), Gavi Di Gavi (14/1), Serious Look (22/1), Amathus (33/1), Unsung Hero (33/1), Baikal (50/1), Bella Veneta (66/1), French Martini (80/1)

DARVEL returned from 6 months off at the top of his game when scoring in decisive fashion at Bath 4 weeks ago and, although his record last season suggests he may not arrive in the same mood, Patrick Chamings' 6-y-o gets the nod ahead of Johnjay, who made a satisfactory return to action when third in a different race on that same card. Gavi di Gavi and Landlordtothestars can fight out third.