15:05 Newmarket

Saturday 10 August 2024

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:50

JenningsBet Handicap

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 1m 24.58s

(9)

Jumby⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: Edward Greatrex| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 100| D

11/1

Winless since landing the John of Gaunt at Haydock last year and has failed to beat a rival home the last twice, albeit he was out of his depth in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot latest. This is much more realistic but has a bit to prove at present.

Form: 59-9000

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(7)

Sierra Blanca¹¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S M Levey| T: M Meade| OR: 97

33/1

Useful for Aidan O'Brien but down the field on both starts in Britain, latterly the Spring Cup at Newbury on his reappearance in April (only start for Richard Hannon).

Form: 6221/8-0

(3)

Merlin The Wizard⁹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 94| C| D

16/1

Three wins last season, notably a 1m course handicap win in August, but he ended that campaign on a low note in the Cambridgeshire and failed to make an impact in another big-field handicap when beating only one home in the Victoria Cup on his reappearance in May. Off again since.

Form: 11510-0

(5)

Koy Koy^t⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: G Boughey| OR: 93| C| D

10/1

Ran poorly in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot last time but hadn't been shaping up too badly prior to that and this is a drop in class having been dropped another 2 lb.

Form: 950660

(8)

Alzahir^h,t¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

10/1

Useful dual winner for the Gosdens and better signs for this stable when fifth of 18 in 7f Glorious Goodwood handicap 10 days ago, faring best of those ridden close to the pace. The type to click for this yard soon.

Form: 05-4005

(2)

Bobby Bennu²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 95| D

7/2

Useful form when winning novice events around 7f at Chester and Thirsk in recent months, making all on both occasions. The handicapper hasn't taken any chances with his opening mark but he should have more to offer.

Form: 211

(4)

Dragon Leader¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Rossa Ryan| T: C G Cox| OR: 91

7/2

Went 4-5 at 2, notably valuable 6f events at York and Redcar. Creditable third of 5 on 7f Ascot handicap debut/reappearance and not disgraced in strong, big-field handicaps since. Can make more of an impact now.

Form: 21-3000

(6)

Waiting All Night^p⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: R Havlin| T: R Spencer| OR: 82| CD

15/2

First success since his debut when seeing off 8 rivals over C&D last week. 5 lb higher in a better race now so he'll need a career best to follow up.

Form: 395241

(1)

Fifty Nifty³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Tom Clover| OR: 87| BF

10/3

Looked potentially useful when making a winning start in 8-runner Yarmouth maiden in April. Not seen to best effect when 4 lengths fourth of 9 on 1m course handicap debut last month, racing away from the main action. Remains capable of better after only 3 starts.

Form: 154

Forecasts

Fifty Nifty (10/3), Bobby Bennu (7/2), Dragon Leader (7/2), Waiting All Night (15/2), Alzahir (10/1), Koy Koy (10/1), Jumby (11/1), Merlin The Wizard (16/1), Sierra Blanca (33/1)

It may pay to focus on the 3-y-os in this useful handicap. FIFTY NIFTY was better than the result on his 1m course handicap debut last month and is taken to come good under Oisin Murphy. This is a touch less competitive than the races Dragon Leader has contested recently and he's second choice ahead of Bobby Bennu.