16:40 Newbury

Saturday 17 August 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:0516:1016:4017:15

Chapel Down Handicap

Off time: 16:40 | Winning time: 2m 31.81s

(8)

Maasai Mara^b⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 84

33/1

Fairly useful for John & Thady Gosden and bright start over hurdles for present trainer earlier this year, winning at Catterick in February. Ran well back on the Flat when fourth of 6 at Hamilton (12.1f) in May, but very slowly away last time. Others preferred.

Form: 2145-47

(2)

Mighty Bandit¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W Greatrex| OR: 82

12/1

Fairly useful hurdles winner for Gordon Elliott and went the right way on first 3 starts on the level for current yard, winning a Pontefract maiden (10f) in July. Well held at Newmarket (12f) 2 weeks ago, but it remains early days in this sphere.

Form: 6216

(6)

God Of Thunder³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| D

16/1

Produced a career best when doubling his tally at Lingfield on Good Friday. However, he hasn't gone on from that effort since, racing keenly after 8 weeks off when sixth of 8 at Salisbury (12f, good) last month. Needs to get back on the up.

Form: 571606

(5)

Ocean Heights^p1,t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-13| J: Hayley Turner| T: D Pipe| OR: 81| D

28/1

Resumed winning ways at Kempton (12f) in January but below form on next 2 starts. After 8 weeks off from hurdling, unsuited by drop back in trip when third of 7 at Sandown (10f, good to soft) in July, though will need to find more in first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 1-31973

(10)

Mafnood^b¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Hannon| OR: 83

13/2

Winner of Haydock novice as a 2-y-o and has been been proving consistent in handicaps this season without getting his head in front, third at Glorious Goodwood (11.2f, firm) on his latest outing. Can give another good account.

Form: 235273

(7)

Hutchence^b²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 82| D

2/1

Upped in trip in first-time blinkers, improved when getting off the mark in handicap at Salisbury (12f, good to firm) 3 weeks ago, in command a fair way out. Leading contender with more still to offer.

Form: 74-5631

(9)

At Vimeiro^p1¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jonny Peate⁽³⁾| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 79

17/2

Wasn't beaten far in the Royal Lodge last year but hasn't built on that since. However, produced his best effort this season when runner-up in a Southwell novice (11.1f) 19 days ago, so he's one to note with cheekpieces added for handicap debut.

Form: 79-5932

(3)

Louis Quatorze²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 79

5/1

Gained a first success in a Chelmsford novice on final start last year. Down the field on first 2 outings this season, but found improvement for the longer trip when fourth of 7 in handicap at Sandown (10f, good) 22 days ago. Further progress required.

Form: 301-784

(4)

Tatateo^p1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: J Ferguson| OR: 79

9/2

Made a successful turf debut at Lingfield in May and has shaped as if need of a greater test of stamina both starts since, fourth of 9 in handicap at Newmarket (10f, good) last time. Merits consideration with cheekpieces applied upped in trip.

Form: 9-27144

(1)

Bas Bleu²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E Walker| OR: 69

12/1

Remains a maiden but, making her turf debut after 4 months off, ran her best race so far when third of 7 in handicap at Sandown (10f, good to soft) 23 days ago. Task is now to build on her latest effort as she goes back up in trip.

Form: 833283

Forecasts

Hutchence (2/1), Tatateo (9/2), Louis Quatorze (5/1), Mafnood (13/2), At Vimeiro (17/2), Bas Bleu (12/1), Mighty Bandit (12/1), God Of Thunder (16/1), Ocean Heights (28/1), Maasai Mara (33/1)

HUTCHENCE benefited from the step up in trip and application of blinkers when winning readily at Salisbury last time, so he could be set to score again now that he's up and running. He can get the better of Tatateo, who has been shaping as if this longer distance should suit, while At Vimeiro is an interesting contender as he makes his handicap bow.