Racecards
14:35 Newbury
Ladbrokes.Com Handicap (Class B)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm
- Form 360530
- Age 7
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Pat Eddery
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on final furlong, nearest at finish
- Form 1023-06
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
mid division, headway over 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed and no extra towards finish
- Form 2-13410
- Age 5
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer Allan Smith
- Jockey Paul Smith
prominent over 4f, behind when hampered over 1f out
- Form 3/43-600
- Age 4
- Weight 9-6
- Trainer P Harris
- Jockey S J Drowne
behind, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on, nearest at finish
Zucchero
31- Form 10/10-00
- Age 7
- Weight 9-4
- Trainer D W P Arbuthnot
- Jockey S Whitworth
held up, not clear run over 1f out, never near leaders
- Form 000-045
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
soon led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 204001
- Age 5
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer B W Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
mid division, ridden over 3f out, weakened 2f out
- Form 551102
- Age 6
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Dane O'Neill
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
- Form 4-11140
- Age 3
- Weight 8-9
tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakening when not much room over 1f out
- Form 056023
- Age 4
- Weight 8-5
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey S Hitchcott
mid division, ridden over 2f out, kept on one pace
Cloud Dancer
37- Form 0261-03
- Age 4
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer D Coakley
- Jockey Willie Supple
held up, effort over 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 043602
- Age 4
- Weight 8-3
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, not quicken
- Form 505321
- Age 5
- Weight 8-2
tracked leaders 1f out, ran on to lead towards finish
- Form 000341
- Age 3
- Weight 8-1
- Trainer Mrs P Dutfield
- Jockey J F McDonald
in touch, ridden and every chance over 1f out, weakened final furlong
Tony Tie
8- Form 000025
- Age 7
- Weight 7-12
- Trainer J S Goldie
- Jockey P Fessey
led early, prominent, ridden and every chance over 1f out, no extra final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Recent winners Faithful Warrior and Definite Guest have more to do off their new marks and, with the well treated Calcutta better in a smaller field, the vote goes to Pentecost, who deserves to win a decent prize. Andrew Balding's gelding finished fourth in the Royal Hunt Cup and followed that with another good effort behind Putra Pekan in a decent handicap at Sandown last time. Off the same mark here, the four-year-old has every chance. Unshakable and Faithful Warrior are strictly held by the selection on running at Ascot and, while the latter has since won at York, the Barry Hills-trained gelding has more to do off his 5lb higher mark. Stable companion Calcutta has slipped to an attractive mark but is another held by Andrew Balding's horse and is better in smaller fields anyway. Topweight Cornelius was also down the field at Sandown and is difficult to recommend. Definite Guest won well at York last time and does not appear badly treated off a 6lb higher mark judged by his performance then but is a far from certain stayed over this furlong longer trip. Everest has claims on his recent form but would prefer a softer surface, while the consistent Joint Statement is another worthy of a mention but we are happy to side with Pentecost, who has solid claims.