17:05 Newmarket

Thursday 26 September 2024

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

Ultimate Provence Handicap

Off time: 17:06 | Winning time: 1m 46.82s

(12)

Stockpyle¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 79| D

28/1

Won back-to-back handicaps in June and largely run with credit whilst looking in the grip of the assessor since. Too lit up in blinkers (discarded here) when well held at Haydock (8.2f) latest but others make greater appeal overall.

Form: 117559

(1)

Bajan Bandit¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Oliver Stammers| T: Grant Tuer| OR: 79

25/1

Thrived for this yard last season, winning handicaps at Haydock/York before filling the frame all 3 starts thereafter. Yet to get near that level in handful of starts this term but probably needed first start for 4 months at Doncaster 12 days ago. Handicapper has afforded him a chance.

Form: 42-0000

(3)

Mr Baloo¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-12| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 82| D

12/1

Dual winner at Kempton prior to a good fifth at Goodwood (1m) in May. Not disgraced when fourth of 11 in handicap at Chester (7f, heavy) 13 days ago but suspicion the handicapper has him about right. Returns to 1m now.

Form: 141594

(13)

Amsterdam¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 81

2/1

Steadily progressive son of Dutch Art who ran well on his first crack at this trip when second of 6 in handicap at York (7.9f, soft) 18 days ago, rallying well once headed. Still early days with him and he's of interest.

Form: 6-2522

(2)

Pressure's On²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 77

15/2

Good second on reappearance here (7f) in April prior to catching the eye in a big-field handicap back here the following month. Not built on those exploits in 2 starts following a break but likely remains with a bigger effort in his locker and not one to write off.

Form: 51-2855

(14)

Terries Royale¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: M Appleby| OR: 72| BF| D

6/5

Off the mark in amateur riders' handicap at Ascot (1m) and comfortably went like best horse at the weights when second in Leger Legends race at Doncaster (1m) 11 days ago, clear when hanging badly left and headed close home. Well worth considering from this mark.

Form: 732412

(7)

Desperate Dan²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Ray Dawson| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 73

20/1

Ran to a fair level on 2 of his 3 starts in maidens and gelded, shaped bit better than bare result when eighth of 11 in handicap at Newcastle (10.2f) 23 days ago, keeping on when hampered last ½f. Remains early days now dropped back down in trip.

Form: 8028

(11)

Lake Teo⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 72

16/1

Lightly-raced maiden who matched pick of form in maidens (well backed) when fifth of 7 in handicap at Haydock (10.5f) 7 weeks ago, outpaced gradually. Remains early days with her but drop back in trip may not suit ideally.

Form: 64325

Non-Runners

(8)

Repertoire³³

Weight: 9-13| Age: 8

T: D M Simcock J: J P Spencer

(6)

Hieronymus¹⁹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 8

T: George Baker J: Nicola Currie

(9)

Classic Encounter¹⁶

Weight: 9-10| Age: 3

T: G Boughey J: Billy Loughnane

(4)

Island Bandit²⁸

Weight: 9-10| Age: 5

T: H Main J: J Mitchell

(5)

Where's Freddy⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: S C Williams J: R Kingscote

(10)

Drink Dry²⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: M Botti J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Terries Royale (6/5), Amsterdam (2/1), Where's Freddy (5/1), Classic Encounter (7/1), Pressure's On (15/2), Drink Dry (10/1), Mr Baloo (12/1), Repertoire (12/1), Lake Teo (16/1), Hieronymus (16/1), Island Bandit (16/1), Desperate Dan (20/1), Bajan Bandit (25/1), Stockpyle (28/1)

CLASSIC ENCOUNTER shaped very well having had 9 months off when fifth in a Newcastle novice 16 days ago having been caught further back than ideal. Now handicapping from what could well prove a lenient mark, he earns the vote, ahead of Mick Appleby's Terries Royale who patently shaped best when runner-up at Doncaster 11 days ago. Amsterdam and Pressure's On are another pair to consider in an interesting finale.