Racecards
14:35 Newmarket
Solberge Hall Hotel Handicap (Class 3)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
- Surface: Turf
- Form 031337
- Age 4
- Weight 9-11
- Official Rating 84
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Ted Durcan
held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 314-22
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer S bin Suroor
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
made all, ridden 2f out, hung left inside final furlong
- Form 5-1481
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 92
- Trainer D J Coakley
- Jockey E Ahern
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 132009
- Age 3
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey J Fanning
chased winner, ridden 3f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 61603
- Age 3
- Weight 9-8
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer J Noseda
- Jockey T P Queally
held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
- Form 9-52713
- Age 6
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 80
- Trainer John Berry
- Jockey M Fenton
held up in rear, ridden and weakened over 2f out
- Form 4462-49
- Age 7
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer N P Littmoden
- Jockey R Mullen
in touch, ridden over 3f out, one pace final 2f
- Form 51-6
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 82
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey S J Drowne
keen, held up in rear, ridden 4f out, weakened over 2f out
Verdict
Noble Gent can reverse recent form with Steppe Dancer, while Balanced Budget and Humble Opinion are fancied to be the best of the rest. The last named is capable on his day and is respected on the pick of his form. However, he needs everything to fall into place for him off top weight and looks vulnerable on these terms. Balanced Budget has scope for improvement and has anther race like this within his compass. A market move for him will be interesting. Steppe Dancer was only a neck in front of the selection when they met here last time and is an obvious threat. However, Godolphin's runners have done nothing but improve over the last couple of months and Noble Gent can be fancied to reverse the form with his old adversary off 1lb better terms.
Formwatch
Active Asset (IRE) 14-1 (8-0) Held up towards rear, headway over 2f out, not much room over 1f out, stayed on, nearest finish, 7th of 16, 2l behind Crosspeace (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.
Noble Gent (IRE) 10-11fav (9-1) Keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed close home, 2nd of 6, hd behind Steppe Dancer (9-0) at Newmarket 1m 2f 3yo hcp (3) gf in Jul.
Crime Scene (IRE) 9-1 (8-6) Tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 11, 7l behind Young Mick (9-5) at Ascot 1m 4f hcp 0-105 (2) gd in Jul.
Balanced Budget 6-1 (8-13) Slow into stride, held up in rear, ridden 2f out, edged left and headway approaching final furlong, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 3l behind Group Captain (9-2) at Newmarket 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) gd in Jul.
Humble Opinion 12-1 (8-3) Mid-division, effort over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Crosspeace (9-10) at Goodwood 1m 2f hcap (2) gd.