20:20 Newbury

Thursday 10 July 2025

All17:2518:0018:3519:1019:4520:2020:55

Orida Hotels Handicap

Off time: 20:25 | Winning time: 2m 5.2s

(8)

Fast Steps¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Gina Mangan| T: B R Millman| OR: 75| CD

11/2

C&D winner 12 months ago and ran up to form with his reappearance behind him at Windsor in May, not really getting the rub of the green late. Not ideally placed when third at Haydock (10.4f, good) just under 3 weeks ago and return to this track rates a plus (now 1 lb below last winning mark).

Form: 728-733

(3)

Clermont Ferrand²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: K Shoemark| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 75

7/2

Promising second on debut at Yarmouth (10f) in April (looks solid form) and perhaps found the race coming too soon when disappointing at Wetherby later that month. Again below debut effort after a break at Redcar last month but is a potential improver now handicapping.

Form: 254

(7)

Lunario^h1,t³⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: Jack Dace⁽⁷⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 75

11/1

Best effort this season when second of 13 in handicap at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) in May. Not quite at that level when fourth at Goodwood (1m) the following month and a change of headgear is reached for (first-time hood) having a first crack at 1¼m.

Form: 65-5424

(5)

Double Red⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: T E Whelan| T: H Candy| OR: 71| D

3/1

Belardo gelding who improved in refitted cheekpieces/after 6 months off when winning at Nottingham in April. Followed up from 5 lb higher in 9-runner event back there (10.2f, good) later that month and should make a bold bid for the hat-trick after a break (remains relatively low-mileage).

Form: 8283-11

(2)

Giselles Defence^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 71| CD

9/2

Arrives in top form, finding just one too strong at Chester (12.3f, soft) last month. Shouldn't be long in regaining the winning thread so remains of interest back down in trip despite a tiny nudge back up in the weights.

Form: 70-7332

(9)

Dayzee^p1⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Edward Greatrex| T: P Attwater| OR: 70| D

11/1

Unreliable type (has refused to race) and was well below form at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) in May, beaten by much more than the trip alone. First-time headgear is applied but watching brief advised for now.

Form: 94-9750

(4)

Golden Phase²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Rob Hornby| T: D J Coakley| OR: 67| D

7/1

First 3 career wins came at Bath and confirmed the promise of her reappearance at the second attempt when getting off the mark for the season at Salisbury (9.9f, good to firm) last month, seen to good effect dictating a modest gallop. 4 lb rise shouldn't prevent another bold bid.

Form: 634-231

(6)

Chourmo⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: J F Egan| T: Mark Gillard| OR: 60| BF| D

40/1

Was well backed into favouritism but appeared to fail for stamina delivered earlier in a well-run race when runner-up at Brighton (9.9f, good to firm) 9 days ago. That tempers enthusiasm somewhat kept to 1¼m so the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 1-70832

Non-Runners

(1)

Holy Smoker³¹

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: W J Knight J: David Probert

Forecasts

Double Red (3/1), Clermont Ferrand (7/2), Giselles Defence (9/2), Fast Steps (11/2), Golden Phase (7/1), Dayzee (11/1), Lunario (11/1), Holy Smoker (16/1), Chourmo (40/1)

Cases can be made for plenty but the most persuasive is for DOUBLE RED, who has returned an improved model this season and arrives chasing a hat-trick following a couple of commanding wins at Nottingham back in April. Heading up the dangers is Clermont Ferrand, who should be capable of better now handicapping, with Giselles Defence and Lunario taken to fight out minor honours.