Racecards
18:30 Newbury
Inkerman London Apprentice Handicap (Class 5)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 3f 5y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £4,000 added
Kings Troop
13- Form 50675-3
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer A King
- Jockey Simon Pearce
took keen hold early, tracked leading pair, effort between horses to track leader over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed 1f out, stayed on same pace
- Form 06-2122
- Age 9
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 68
- Trainer J J Bridger
- Jockey Ashley Morgan
led 3f, tracked leader, led again 3f out until over 1f out, stayed on same pace final furlong
- Form 1-61252
- Age 9
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer Mrs L Hill
- Jockey Gemma Gracey-Davison
took keen hold, tracked leader, led 8f out until 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 057-863
- Age 7
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 65
- Trainer J S Moore
- Jockey Ryan Powell
held up in 5th, effort on wide outside and ridden to lead 1f out, stayed on well, ridden out
- Form 0-32113
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 58
- Trainer Mat Salaman
- Jockey David Kenny
tracked leading trio, effort to press leaders 2f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 800668/
- Age 10
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 45
held up last, pushed along over 4f out, outpaced over 2f out
- Form 27/33-03
- Age 5
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer W M Brisbourne
- Jockey Non Runner
Nonrunner
Verdict
Touch Of Class is on form and might be value for the places in this handicap but we prefer the other form horse in the race MEGALALA who should get the better of What's Up Doc. With three seconds and a win in four starts this term the pick is clearly in rude health. He was only beaten a length off this mark last time and he looks to have strong claims. What's Up Doc was only just held by the on-form Penang Cinta at Brighton last time off this mark and if in the same mood has a clear chance. Touch Of Class has won two of his five starts this term and while he looks booked to run his race again he has a bit to prove off this mark after his run behind Rosco Flyer last time out.. Sgt Schultz showed a spark of form when not beaten that far by the well-weighted Aestrival on his last outing so if he is returning to his best he is really light in the handicap while Black Coffee was also much improved last time and if building on that run could go close. A tricky opener but Megalala is on form and can take it.
Formwatch
Kings Troop 25-1 (9-12) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, kept on to 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to reach leading duo, 3rd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Touch of Style (8-6) at Goodwood 1m 1f hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Jun.
Megalala (IRE) 11-2 (9-2) Lead, ridden over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Archie Rice (9-6) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jun.
What's Up Doc (IRE) 9-4 (8-13) Led, ridden over 1f out, hung left final furlong, no extra and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Penang Cinta (8-13) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in May.
Sgt Schultz (IRE) 12-1 (9-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, edged right and chased winner over 1f out, no impression, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Aestival (9-4) at Bath 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Touch of Style (IRE) 6-4fav (8-4) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, kept on same pace, final furlong, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Rosco Flyer (9-4) at Salisbury 1m 2f hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.
Hail The King (USA) 20-1 (8-10) Prominent 5f, 8th of 12, 29l behind Ben Hur (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m mdn hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Sep '03.
Black Coffee 14-1 (9-7) Mid-division, ridden and headway 3f out, challenged on outside 2f out, every chance 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Ghufa (9-10) at Newbury 1m 3f app hcp 0-70 (5) gf in Jun.