17:10 Newmarket

Saturday 29 June 2024

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Mutasaabeq At The National Stud Handicap

Off time: 17:11 | Winning time: 2m 6.05s

(2)

Machete¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93

10/1

Winner of just one of his 15 starts on turf for Fabrice Chappet in France but shaped well on debut for this yard when fourth of 10 in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1¼m, soft) last month. Best to draw a line through subsequent York run and should give a good account, provided he handles conditions.

Form: 5749-40

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(5)

Elegancia^h³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: W Buick| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 91| D

7/1

Useful dual winner over this trip last year, latterly a fast-ground Ascot handicap in September. Out of her depth on last 3 starts in Group/listed company but this is a more realistic assignment and it wouldn't be the biggest of surprises if she were to get back on track.

Form: 21106-4

(6)

Majestic¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: R Kingscote| T: J Channon| OR: 89

5/2

Winless since landing the 2022 Cambridgeshire but has largely acquitted himself well since, including on all but one of his 4 starts this season. Best work at the finish when third at Sandown (1¼m, good) recently and he's a strong candidate off the same mark.

Form: 44-5483

(4)

Qitaal¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Johnston| OR: 83| D

5/2

Rejoined former yard for just 4,000 gns following sole outing for Ken Condon in 2022 but proved that his ability remains intact when landing a Doncaster handicap (1¼m, soft) following a lengthy absence in March. Decent effort at York last time and he'll be dangerous if allowed a soft lead.

Form: 162495

(3)

Sniper's Eye^h⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Hayley Turner| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81

10/1

Opened his account in straightforward fashion when landing a 10-runner minor event at Southwell (1m) in September. Should come on for his encouraging belated reappearance over this trip in a first-tim hood (retained) at Chelmsford 9 days ago and he needs taking seriously.

Form: 44251-6

(1)

Bint Al Daar¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J Mitchell| T: K P De Foy| OR: 74| C

12/1

Bagged handicaps over a mile here last summer and added to her tally on the AW in November. However, she hasn't made much of an impact in 2 starts since returning to action last month.

Form: 2518-09

(7)

Mafnood^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 84

9/2

Winner of 1m Haydock novice as a 2-y-o and returned with solid place efforts upped to 1¼m on first 2 starts of this season. Rather one-paced in first-time blinkers (on again here) at Sandown a fortnight ago but he didn't enjoy the best of runs that day and is certainly one to consider.

Form: 245-235

Forecasts

Majestic (5/2), Qitaal (5/2), Mafnood (9/2), Elegancia (7/1), Sniper's Eye (10/1), Machete (10/1), Bint Al Daar (12/1)

There's a good chance that QITAAL will be allowed his own way out in front and he could prove hard to peg back with Oisin Murphy in the hot-seat. Mafnood didn't get the rub of the green at Sandown and is feared most ahead of Sniper's Eye and Majestic, both of whom need a strong pace to aim at, which is far from assured in this contest. Elegancia may well resume her progress now back in handicap company, so she needs a second look, too.