19:35 Newmarket

Friday 18 July 2025

All17:1517:5018:2519:0019:3520:1020:40

Debenhams Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 19:35 | Winning time: 2m 7.88s

(1)

Gloucestershire⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 10-4| J: Joe Leavy| T: M Meade| OR: 87

12/1

Off 6 months before coming in only thirteenth of 14 in handicap at Newbury (10f, firm) 63 days ago. Winless since 2022 so not easy to make a case for.

Form: 42/374-0

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(6)

Gaassee^t¹³⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Jack Dace⁽⁷⁾| T: Jack Morland| OR: 83| D

25/1

It's now 15 runs since his last win in 2022 but he comes here in decent form, third of 7 in handicap at Kempton (12f) in March. Not discounted after a break.

Form: 47-4243

(5)

Asmen Warrior^p²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S D Bowen| T: James Owen| OR: 85| D

2/1

Got off the mark in first-time cheekpieces in 6-runner maiden at Salisbury (9.9f, good to firm) 23 days ago on his final run for Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole. Merits serious consideration starting out for his new yard with the headgear again fitted.

Form: 7-22541

(7)

Byblos⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 84| BF

11/8

Lightly-raced maiden who resumed from 6 months off with a solid fifth of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, good) in April. Can do better stepped up in trip and he's a likely player.

Form: 422-5

(4)

Night Step²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 78| D

6/1

Built on earlier promise to open his account in 8-runner handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 29 days ago. Up 6 lb but he can go well again.

Form: 076-21

(3)

Antelope¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: N Callan| T: R Hannon| OR: 76| D

7/1

Dual 1m2f scorer at Haydock and Leicester in May and not discredited when fourth of 8 in handicap at Sandown (10f, good to firm) 13 days ago. This reliable sort needs considering.

Form: 331124

Non-Runners

(2)

Giselles Defence¹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: Ryan Kavanagh

Forecasts

Byblos (11/8), Asmen Warrior (2/1), Giselles Defence (5/1), Night Step (6/1), Antelope (7/1), Gloucestershire (12/1), Gaassee (25/1)

An open handicap but ASMEN WARRIOR would not be the first to take a step forward now under the tutelage of James Owen so he edges the vote from recent Lingfield scorer Night Step. The Gosdens' Byblos remains with potential and must also enter calculations along with the consistent Antelope.