Racecards
16:35 Newbury
G4s Apprentice Handicap (Class 5)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f 5y
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £4,500 added
- Form 023747
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer S Dow
- Jockey J Hamblett
led after 1f, ridden and headed 3f out, stayed on gamely for 2nd final 2f
- Form 30-2007
- Age 6
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer D J S Ffrench Davis
- Jockey A Hamblett
slowly into stride, settled in rear, chased leaders 5f out, ridden to lead 3f out, ran on well final 2f
- Form 66-0604
- Age 5
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey R Kingscote
led 1f, stayed tracking leader, ridden 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f
- Form 118532
- Age 3
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer M G Quinlan
- Jockey Jamie Moriarty
held up in 4th, ridden 3f out, no impression from 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 3870-31
- Age 7
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 64
- Trainer W J Musson
- Jockey Liam Jones
always towards rear, no impression final 2f, weakened over 1f out
- Form 7-03252
- Age 11
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 57
- Trainer Ian Williams
- Jockey Greg Fairley
tracked leaders, ridden 3f out, outpaced from 2f out
Verdict
This moderate apprentice handicap to close the card can go to Darghan ahead of Pretty Demanding, Prime Number and Sharmy. The one with the recent winning form to his name is Darghan, the selection having been given one hell of a ride by Ryan Moore to prevail at Yarmouth last month, having been settled in last place until being unleashed close home to score. Liam Jones will have to be every bit as good in the saddle if Bill Musson's seven-year-old is to follow up, but the good news is that the opposition is uninspiring to say the least. His main rival appears to be Pretty Demanding who was pipped on the post by Make Haste at Beverley. She is a shade high in the weights at present, while Prime Number in contrast is starting to look well handicapped, but has not won since 2005. Old Sharmy has belied his age with a couple of fair efforts on the Flat, but he cannot be backed with confidence, and we shall rely on Darghan to deliver the goods.
Formwatch
Love Always 12-1 (9-4) Chaced leaders, ridden and not pace to challenge leaders final 2f, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Lemonette (9-11) at Warwick 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Aug.
Mister Right (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Dwelt, held up in rear, driven on far rail over 2f out, soon no impression, 7th of 9, 6l behind Prime Powered (9-11) at Windsor 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) sft in Aug.
Prime Number (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Keen hold, rapid headway to track leader after 2f, ridden and one pace inside final furlong, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Sky Quest (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f app hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Pretty Demanding (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Towards rear, headway over 2f out, led approaching final furlong, staying on until headed and no extra close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Make Haste (9-3) at Beverley 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Aug.
Darghan (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-11) Patiently ridden, headway 3f out, switched left over 1f out until switched right inside final furlong, ran on to lead near finish, won at Yarmouth 1m 2f hcp 0-65 (6) gf in Aug beating Billy One Punch (10-0) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Sharmy (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) In touch, led 5f out, clear 3f out, reduced lead 2f out, no extra and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Venir Rouge (10-2) at Newbury 1m 2f ldy rds hcp (5) gf in Aug.