Racecards
15:30 Newmarket
Grants Whisky Handicap (Class 4)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 4f
- Going: Good to Firm (Watered)
- Surface: Turf
- £7,000 added
- Winner: £4,528
- 2nd: £1,348
- 3rd: £673
- 4th: £337
- Form 83-0950
- Age 9
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey William Twiston-Davies
tracked winner until ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 523/611
- Age 4
- Weight 9-13
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer E Walker
- Jockey Hayley Turner
in touch, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, eased over 1f out
- Form 61-3333
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey I Mongan
dwelt in rear, headway on outer entering final 2f, soon ridden, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 32776-2
- Age 5
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer Mrs A J Perrett
- Jockey A Kirby
in touch, ridden 3f out, headway entering final 2f, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
- Form 205361
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey F Norton
tracked leaders, chased winner 3f out, ridden and every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace and lost 2nd final strides
- Form 016
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey Jim Crowley
in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, stayed on to go 2nd final strides
- Form 231542
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer A Bailey
- Jockey Natasha Eaton
keen made all, clear over 8f out, reduced lead over 4f out, jinked left approaching 2f out, edged right and left inside final furlong, stayed on well
- Form 6-12462
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer Sir Mark Prescott
- Jockey L Morris
Withdrawn
Sohar
41- Form 464-932
- Age 4
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer J A R Toller
- Jockey Kirsty Milczarek
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
This looks tricky as Gassin Golf is weighted to reverse recent running with Doncaster winner Maastricht and Maria's Choice has plenty of scope for improvement. Fleeting Image is another three-year-old with claims while Sohar went close in heavy ground over C&D last month. The High Man continued his good progress with a convincing victory at Doncaster last time and even a 10lb rise in the weights may not prevent another bold bid but CLASSIC PUNCH is given one more chance. The four-time course winner has struggled so far this year but David Elsworth's veteran may have one more big run in him as he's 9lb lower than last August's victory at this track and an apprentice takes another 7lb off his back today.
Formwatch
Classic Punch (IRE) 9-1 (9-7) In touch, stayed alone on near side rail 7f out, pushed along 4f out, well on terms 3f out, edged left and weakened over 2f out, tailed off, last of 10, 40l behind Sir John Hawkwood (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-100 (2) gf.
The High Man 4-1fav (9-13) Tracked clear leader, headway to lead 3f out, driven clear over 1f out, easily, won at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) gf in Jul beating Arizona John (10-0) by 4l, 12 ran.
Knightly Escapade 11-4fav (9-1) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, headway over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, no extra close home, 3rd of 9, 1l behind Braveheart Move (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Huff And Puff 7-2 (9-11) Chased leading pair, ridden and unable to quicken over 2f out, went 2nd approaching final furlong, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Silent Moment (9-1) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Jul.
Maastricht (IRE) 7-2 (8-7) Made all, ridden over 2f out, pressed inside final furlong, kept on most gamely, won at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd beating Gassin Golf (9-1) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Maria's Choice (IRE) 11-1 (9-2) Held up in mid-division, ridden over 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, never on terms with leaders, 6th of 16, 7l behind Silver Lime (9-2) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp 0-90 (3) gd.
Fleeting Image 18-1 (8-1) Led, clear 4f out, stayed on far side in straight, in narrow lead over 1f out, stayed on, headed by winner near side close home, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Ethics Girl (9-6) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-80 (4) gd.
Gassin Golf 2-1fav (9-1) Held up in mid-division, good headway on inside over 3f out, soon went 2nd, ridden and edged left over 1f out, every chance well inside final furlong, held close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Maastricht (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 7f hcp 0-85 (4) gd.
Sohar 20-1 (8-13) Tracked leading pair, chased winner 5f out, until hung right over 1f out, rallied to 2nd again inside final furlong, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind John Louis (9-4) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) hvy in Jul.