17:15 Newbury

Saturday 17 August 2024

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

Childwickbury Stud Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 2m 3.81s

(3)

Markoon²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 95

13/8

Son of Kingman who scored on second of his 2 starts at 2 yrs and took another sizeable step forward to defy a penalty after 9 months off in 8-runner Newmarket novice (1m) in July, finding extra when tackled. Likely there's more to come now handicapping upped to 1¼m.

Form: 51-1

(4)

Voyage¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 90| CD

12/1

Looked a good prospect when making a winning debut in a C&D novice (good to soft) in April. Unseated in Derby at Epsom/shaped as if amiss at Royal Ascot next 2 starts but did at least fare better when seventh of 10 on handicap debut at Goodwood (12f) last time. Down in trip.

Form: 1U07

(1)

Houstonn⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 90| D

11/2

Expert Eye gelding who opened his account in maiden company at Windsor (10f) in July and, allowed an uncontested lead, improved when third in handicap (12f) at last week's Shergar Cup meeting. Entitled to give another good account back at 1¼m.

Form: 924-513

(8)

Golden West⁷⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 89

10/1

Decisive winner of minor events at Newcastle and Epsom both starts at 2yrs. Faced with stiff tasks on first 2 starts this spring and ran about as well as he was entitled to from stiff opening mark when eighth of 12 on handicap debut at Epsom in June. Gelded subsequently.

Form: 11-748

(5)

Ciro Di Marzio^b1,t1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: R M Beckett| OR: 88

17/2

Left debut run well behind when winning 7f Kempton novice in October and progressed again this term, close-up fourth on return prior to a very good third in a 12f handicap here last month, likely to have benefited from a stronger gallop. Blinkers/tongue tie go on and further progress anticipated.

Form: 91-43

(2)

T'challa³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

5/1

Made it third time lucky when narrowly prevailing in a 1m Windsor novice in June, pulling clear with Midair. However, he failed to build on that making handicap debut when sixth of 9 over 1m at Ascot last month. Increase in trip could help now.

Form: 2716

(6)

Ville Natale¹³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R Kingscote| T: R Varian| OR: 83| BF| D

22/1

Nathaniel filly who improved on opening exploits when readily landing Chelmsford novice (10f) in January. Not in same form when last of 5 on handicap debut at Wolverhampton (12.2f) in April but surprise where she not capable of better back from a break. Turf debut.

Form: 3-215

(7)

Midair^b1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 82

8/1

Son of Frankel who has finished runner-up on 4 of his 7 starts to date, latterly in 10-runner novice at Windsor in June. Gelded prior to a disappointing effort returned to handicaps at Yarmouth (10.1f) last month but not one to write off yet with blinkers replacing cheekpieces.

Form: 22-2420

Forecasts

Markoon (13/8), T'challa (5/1), Houstonn (11/2), Midair (8/1), Ciro Di Marzio (17/2), Golden West (10/1), Voyage (12/1), Ville Natale (22/1)

MARKOON took another sizeable step forward as he took his record to 2-3 on return in novice company at Newmarket (1m) 4 weeks ago, finding extra when challenged. A well-made sort with definite potential for better still now handicapping, he holds sound claims now his stamina is tested further. Ciro di Marzio with headgear enlisted is a threat along with T'challa. A couple of lines of Midair's form ties him in closely with a couple here and first-time blinkers could perk him up.