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As is so often the case, Newbury has attracted some classy-looking juveniles on Thursday and local trainer Richard Hannon will almost certainly be disappointed if heading home empty-handed given he looks to have seven live chances across the card.
The opening 5f Class 5 BetVictor Apprentice Handicap (5.05) looks a competitive affair. Three-time all-weather winner Level Up proved he was just as effective on turf when runner-up at Windsor two starts ago and must enter the reckoning after filling the same spot at Chelmsford (5f) last-time-out. Bluebell Time was by far from disgraced when fifth at Chepstow in May and has slipped to an attractive mark, but slender preference goes the way of Symbol Of Hope, who produced a solid third over this trip at Bath last start and gets the services of in-form apprentice Connor Planas.
Two-year-olds take the stage in the 6f Class 4 Veolia EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (5.35) with some lovely pedigrees on display. Clive Cox's Miss Show Off has illustrated a fair level in both outings to date but the form of her debut second at Sandown has been somewhat let down and it may prove wise to concentrate on some attractively bred newcomers. Richard Hannon can ready one first-time-out at Newbury and Magic Light would be interesting if seeing market support while Gleneagles filly Lady Of War also makes plenty of appeal. However, if there's to be a high-class performer amongst the nine fillies then Clove Hitch surely fits the bill. Andrew Balding's daughter of Siyouni cost 725,000gns as a yearling and is the first foal out of a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Lillie Langtry, who is also the dam of Classic heroines Minding, Tuesday and Empress Josephine. The Juddmonte-owned filly looks to have a touch of star quality throughout her pedigree and may well have what it takes to make a winning debut.
Attentions turn to the colts in the 6f Class 4 KKA Studio Novice Stakes (Div 1) (6.05). Starlust won comfortably over this trip at Chelmsford last month and must be respected but this looks like a race with more depth and Ralph Beckett's charge may prove vulnerable under the penalty. Much like in the fillies contest, Juddmonte and Andrew Balding look to saddle a fascinating debutant as Array, a half-brother to Maximal, smart 6f/7f winner Jubiloso and useful 6f scorer Jovial ticks plenty of boxes on paper. That said, experience could prove crucial here and Boyfriend, who shaped with bundles of promise on debut can come out on top. The Richard Hannon-trained son of Twilight Son made a more experienced subsequent scorer pull out all the stops when runner-up at Windsor and he should have learnt plenty from that initial outing.
The 6f Class 4 KKA Studio Novice Stakes (Div 2) (6.40) looks equally as interesting with a real mix between previous promise and appealing newcomers. Experience could come to the fore here. Brian Meehan's Count Palatine made a pleasing debut when fifth at Windsor and he'll certainly find this much easier than when contesting the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot on his second start. However, Richard Hannon's Baheer was supported as though defeat was out the equation when runner-up to 150/1 shot over course and distance on debut and his colt by Mehmas is taken to go one better with that run under his belt. Roger Varian has his team in good form at present and Mitwaa, a half-brother to King's Stand Stakes third Anaaf, looks the pick of the newcomers ahead of Cynosure.
A combination of cheekpieces and a tongue-tie being fitted for the first time saw Secret Moment return from an eight-month break with a snug Wolverhampton (6f) success. Saeed Bin Suroor's six-year-old gelding has Oisin Murphy booked once more and may have what it takes to follow up off 3lb higher in the 7f Class 4 Country & Town House Handicap (Div 1) (7.15).
Division 2 of the 7f Class 4 Country & Town House Handicap (Div 2) (7.50) certainly goes into the 'competitive' category with some in-form rivals taking each other on. The hat-trick-seeking Flying Secret commands respect in his rich vein of form while fellow last-start winners Snuggle and Al Baahy also need to be considered off their revised marks. That said, there should be plenty more to come from Eddie Temple. Owen Burrows' three-year-old has displayed enough in three outings to date that he can be competitive from this opening mark of 75 and it would hardly be surprising if he built on a fair fifth-place finish in a mile Nottingham maiden three weeks ago now dropping back to seven furlongs.
Graham had a next-time-out winner seven-and-a-half lengths behind when routing his rivals in a three-runner handicap at Salisbury eighteen days ago and he can defy a 5lb rise in the 1m2f Class 5 TPT Fire Handicap (8.25). Richard Hannon could be set for a good evening at Newbury and Island Luck, who showed a much-improved effort when second on his handicap bow at Kempton, gets the vote over stablemate Yellow Lion in the concluding Class 5 BetVictor Race Series Cup Handicap (9.00) racing off an unchanged mark.
RACE 1 – SYMBOL OF HOPE
RACE 2 – CLOVE HITCH
RACE 3 – BOYFRIEND
RACE 4 – BAHEER
RACE 5 – SECRET MOMENT
RACE 6 – EDDIE TEMPLE
RACE 7 – GRAHAM
RACE 8 – ISLAND LUCK
