17:20 Newmarket

Thursday 11 July 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Blandford Bloodstock Handicap

Off time: 17:21 | Winning time: 1m 39.90s

(1)

Tempus^b²²

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 94| D

11/1

Won twice in Group company in 2022 and proved that plenty of ability remains when runner-up in a listed contest at Kempton in December. However, his form has subsequently tailed off and the first-time blinkers (on again here) hardly worked the oracle at Royal Ascot last month.

Form: 2-45070

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(7)

Helm Rock^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: D Egan| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 94| D

12/1

Back-to-back winner on the AW last summer and close third off a 4 lb higher mark at Chelmsford in December. Little impact in a handful of appearances since the turn of the year, though, and he needs to bounce back.

Form: 503-807

(5)

Twirling^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: R L Moore| T: S Crisford| OR: 92| D

9/2

Successful twice during a light 3-y-o campaign and raised her game when opening turf account at Doncaster (1m, good) in May. Probably best to draw a line through subsequent Royal Ascot display and it would be no surprise to see this filly bounce back with a bold show.

Form: 13-7310

(3)

Sterling Knight^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 90

7/1

Returned to his best when landing an 11-runner 7f handicap at Newbury last month. Wasn't in the same form at Royal Ascot but that was a tough assignment (his track position didn't help either) and he's a player here down 2 lb with Oisin Murphy booked.

Form: 5-30610

(9)

Urban Sprawl²⁰⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Johnston| OR: 88

18/1

Losing run mounting up but showcased his consistency when making the frame 8 times on the bounce in AW handicaps between October - December. Gelded since latest start and he'll be on the premises if raring to go following a 6-month break.

Form: 243223-

(8)

Repertoire²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Brandon Wilkie⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Simcock| OR: 81| D

12/1

Dual winner last season and has acquitted himself well all 4 starts since returning to action in May, not least when a close third at Goodwood (1m, good) latest. Still, this 8-y-o will probably find one or two too good once more.

Form: 10-4453

(6)

Fifty Nifty⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: Tom Clover| OR: 88| D

7/2

Looked potentially useful when making a winning start in 8-runner Yarmouth maiden in April. Subsequent fifth of 11 in a Doncaster novice (1m, good) was no backward step and improvement may well be forthcoming now pitched into a handicap with Tom Marquand aboard.

Form: 15

(4)

Safwan²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 87

5/1

Fairly useful 2-time winner in France for Edouard Monfort earlier in the year. Nearer last than first at Royal Ascot since and while this is less taxing assignment, it's easy enough to look elsewhere.

Form: 145130

(2)

The Ice Phoenix³³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 86| D

5/1

Progressed further under a well-judged rude to land an 11-runner course handicap at Ascot (1m, good) on penultimate start. However, he was out with the washing off this 6 lb higher mark at Haydock next time.

Form: 31-5318

Non-Runners

(10)

Alzahir²¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: D Tudhope

Forecasts

Fifty Nifty (7/2), Twirling (9/2), Safwan (5/1), The Ice Phoenix (5/1), Sterling Knight (7/1), Tempus (11/1), Helm Rock (12/1), Repertoire (12/1), Alzahir (12/1), Urban Sprawl (18/1)

FIFTY NIFTY looked good when making a winning debut at Yarmouth in April and it was a competitive Doncaster novice in which he finished a very respectable fifth next time. Armed with potential now venturing down the handicap route, this unexposed 3-y-o makes plenty of appeal. Twirling and Sterling Knight were both down the field in Royal Ascot handicaps but better can be expected here, while Alzahir and Urban Sprawl are others to consider.