20:15 Newbury

Thursday 25 July 2024

All18:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Gardner Leader Handicap

Off time: 20:16 | Winning time: 2m 9.48s

(7)

Saratoga Star²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Charles Bishop| T: P R Chamings| OR: 67

50/1

First run since leaving Charles Hills when sixth of 7 in maiden at Salisbury (9.9f, good to firm, 150/1) 29 days ago, slowly away. Makes handicap debut from a stiff-looking mark on the face of it.

Form: 50-6

(4)

Beach Point^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Marco Ghiani| T: W J Knight| OR: 67| D

7/2

Reacted really well to cheekpieces and produced a career best in the process when winning 12-runner handicap at Yarmouth (10.1f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Not taken lightly up 5 lb.

Form: 212451

(2)

Mini Punter⁶⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: B J Meehan| OR: 66

4/1

Twelfth of 15 in novice at Newmarket (8f, good) 69 days ago. Back up in trip and handicaps far more suitable.

Form: 070

(8)

War Director⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D Menuisier| OR: 65

12/1

Failed to come on for reappearance when eleventh of 13 in handicap at Goodwood (9.9f, good) 41 days ago. Still early days but he needs to up his game.

Form: 830-50

(1)

Niloufar^h⁷^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Millie Wonnacott⁽⁵⁾| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 59| D

5/2

Three wins from 7 runs this year. 9/4, career best when winning 9-runner handicap at Chepstow (10f, good to firm) 7 days ago, eased down so value for extra. Carries penalty but she's improving all the time and looks the one to beat.

Form: 711421

(3)

Myna¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T E Whelan| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 62

3/1

Bit below form fifth of 10 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW, 15/2) 16 days ago, though wasn't ideally placed having been forced to race wide. Eased 2 lb.

Form: 597-275

(9)

Pink Ticket²⁷²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 61

20/1

Thrice-raced maiden. 150/1, eleventh of 12 in novice at Lingfield (8f, AW). Off 9 months. Up in trip for handicap debut and she represents an in-form yard.

Form: 460-

(6)

Fram Castle^b1¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J F Egan| T: James Horton| OR: 60

22/1

Unable to make an impact both starts in handicaps, ninth of 10 at Nottingham (10.2f, good to soft) 19 days ago. Blinkers need to sharpen him up.

Form: 05-609

Non-Runners

(5)

Saachi¹⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: Harry Eustace J: Kaiya Fraser

Forecasts

Niloufar (5/2), Myna (3/1), Beach Point (7/2), Mini Punter (4/1), Saachi (8/1), War Director (12/1), Pink Ticket (20/1), Fram Castle (22/1), Saratoga Star (50/1)

NILOUFAR was value for extra when recording win number 3 at Chepstow last week and with a capable claimer offsetting most of the penalty, her follow-up claims appear to be bright. Beach Point also arrives in top form so is second choice, ahead of Saachi.