Racecards
15:25 Newmarket
Bet365 Hopeful Stakes (listed) (Class 1)
- 10 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Surface: Turf
- £40,000 added
- Form 16-2031
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Ted Durcan
dwelt, held up mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon eased
- Form 320-759
- Age 7
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer R F Fisher
- Jockey C Catlin
prominent, under pressure over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 1095-00
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 105
- Trainer P W Chapple-Hyam
- Jockey R Hills
chased leader, lost place over 2f out
- Form 210504
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer C G Cox
- Jockey P Robinson
held up mid-division, headway over 2f out, never on terms
- Form 213-124
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 107
- Trainer H Morrison
- Jockey S J Drowne
held up in touch, ridden to lead approaching final furlong, hung left under pressure, held on well
- Form 11/1-877
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 105
chased leaders, lost action over 1f out, soon eased
- Form 5-44175
- Age 4
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 109
prominent, led over 1f out, soon headed and no extra
- Form 201202
- Age 6
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 109
led until over 1f out, weakened final furlong
- Form 20-0301
- Age 7
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer J R Fanshawe
- Jockey G Baker
held up in rear, headway over 2f out, every chance over 1f out, held when hampered inside final furlong, soon weakened
- Form 1-31314
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 101
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey A Munro
held in touch, effort over 1f out, kept on under pressure, not reach winner
- Form 021317
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 104
Nonrunner
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Zidane, Swiss Diva and Ancien Regime should all go well again but this could be the right race for PALACE MOON. It wouldn't pay to get carried away with his run in the Hungerford where he ran on fairly well to finish fourth despite pulling for his head and there is a danger that he could be sent off at a false price. That run saw the handicapper raise his mark and he's now just rated a couple of pounds shy of the best in this field but he is still learning the game and could make further progress. A return to more positive tactics worked the oracle for Ancien Regime at Lingfield and his chance would be enhanced if he races just off the pace rather than being held-up. He's good enough to win this as is Zidane who bounced back to his best at Doncaster and who should get the decent pace that he needs. Swiss Diva was progressing rapidly when last seen and may be better served by this course than York as she is often asked to come from off the pace. She makes more appeal than useful handicappers Jimmy Styles and Tamagin who are worth trying at this level whilst the top-rated Strike The Deal has only won one of his seventeen starts on turf although in fairness he's been highly tried and hasn't had many opportunities at this level. The last two winners have been returned at double figure prices but Palace Moon is taken to provide some relief for punters.
Formwatch
Ancien Regime (IRE) 6-4fav (9-0) Made all, 3 lengths clear over 1f out, readily, won at Lingfield 6f 3yo stks (2) pol beating Judd Street (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Beckermet (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Led, came centre over 4f out, ridden and headed 2f out, weakened final furlong, 9th of 12, 5l behind Confront (9-0) at York 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Fat Boy (IRE) 20-1 (9-0) Dwelt, raced towards centre, never really on terms, 12th of 17, 10l behind Kingsgate Native (9-0) at Goodwood 5f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
Jimmy Styles 11-1 (9-3) Chased leaders stands side, ridden 2f out, kept on final furlong, 4th of 17, 1 1/4l behind Markab (9-3) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf.
Palace Moon 13-2 (9-3) Pulled hard early, held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, edged left and one pace final furlong, 4th of 9, 4l behind Balthazaar's Gift (9-3) at Newbury 7f stks (1) gf.
Pointing North (SAF) 25-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, came centre over 4f out, ridden to lead 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Confront (9-0) at York 7f Listed stks (1) gf.
Strike The Deal (USA) 6-1 (8-13) 5th of 11, 1 1/2l behind Tiza (9-4) at Maisons-Laffitte(FR) 6f stk in Jul.
Tamagin (USA) 16-1 (9-10) In touch stands side, led that side over 2f out, ridden and hung right to far side final furlong, kept on and every chance, just failed, 2nd of 17, nk behind Markab (9-3) at Ripon 6f hcp 0-110 (2) gf.
Zidane 15-2 (8-13) Held up, ridden and headway over 1f out, led inside final furlong, kept on, won at Doncaster 6f cond Stakes (3) sft beating Eisteddfod (9-7) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Swiss Diva 15-2 (8-10) In touch, pushed along 2f out, switched left entering final furlong, kept on, 4th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Serious Attitude (8-10) at York 6f fll stks G3 (1) gd in Jul.
Doncaster Rover (USA) 5-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no extra, 7th of 9, 6l behind Girouette (9-1) at Curragh 6f Grp 3.