Racecards
21:10 Newmarket
Antica Classic Sambuca Handicap (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- Form 00319-7
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 82
pulled hard, set strong pace, ridden and headed over 1f out, soon weakened
- Form 28-0683
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 79
- Trainer J Akehurst
- Jockey A Munro
held up mid-division, ridden and headway over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 708036
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer D J S Ffrench Davis
- Jockey S Sanders
in rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
- Form 200-292
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 77
- Trainer C G Cox
- Jockey P Robinson
held up in rear, pushed along halfway, never dangerous
- Form 75-2121
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer J & S Quinn
- Jockey D Holland
tracked leader, quickened to lead over 1f out, ridden and ran on strongly final furlong
- Form 93-5460
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 73
- Trainer P L Gilligan
- Jockey B Reilly
chased leaders, ridden halfway, hung right and weakened over 1f out
- Form 1-54443
- Age 3
- Weight 8-5
- Official Rating 67
- Trainer R M H Cowell
- Jockey R Mullen
chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace
- Form 132127
- Age 3
- Weight 8-2
- Official Rating 70
- Trainer N A Callaghan
- Jockey C Catlin
in rear, pushed along halfway, ridden and headway approaching final furlong, ran on inside final furlong
In depth
Verdict
Fantasy Explorer is taken to defy a penalty at the expense of Brandywell Boy, Azygous and Fisola. Fantasy Explorer has been a credit to connections since returning to the fray, having not been out of the first two in any of his four starts. John Quinn's charge only just hung on to open his account on the Kempton Polytrack last month, but was a rather easier winner under Kieren Fallon over the course-and-distance last week, and that suggests that he is very much on the upgrade. With that in mind, a 7lb penalty is unlikely to stop him from making a bold bid to follow up. Brandywell Boy has been taking on better company, including here last time out, and this drop in grade should enable him to make his presence felt as well. Azygous is slowly but surely recapturing some of last season's form, and with his old friend Alan Munro in the plate, can go well, along with Fisola who has been runner-up in two of his last three starts. The one that they have to catch though is Fantasy Explorer.
Formwatch
Gilt Linked 16-1 (9-2) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 3l behind Moorhouse Lad (8-12) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Azygous 12-1 (9-2) Slight lead, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Prince Tamino (9-7) at Windsor 5f 3yo hcp (4) gf.
Brandywell Boy (IRE) 13-2 (8-7) Held up, pushed along halfway, not much room from over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 3l behind Moorhouse Lad (8-12) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (2) gf.
Fisola (IRE) 10-1 (8-8) Went right start, raced centre and close up, ridden and hung right over 1f out, led inside final furlong, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Stoneacre Lad (9-2) at Leicester 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Fantasy Explorer 5-2fav (9-0) Close up, led 2f out, ridden clear, eased near finish, won at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf beating Patavium Prince (9-2) by 2l, 9 ran.
Brunelleschi 16-1 (8-6) Hampered start, raced centre, soon chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, 10th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Stoneacre Lad (9-2) at Leicester 5f 3yo hcp (3) gf.
Overwing (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Chased leaders, ridden 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Fantasy Explorer (9-0) at Newmarket 5f 3yo hcp (5) gf.
Sarah's Art (IRE) 8-1 (8-2) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 7th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Burning Incense (9-1) at Windsor 6f 3yo hcp (4) gs.