Racecards
17:25 Newmarket
NGK Spark Plugs Handicap
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 6f
- Going: Good to Soft
- Surface: Turf
Countrywide Luck
210- Form 62167-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 85
- Trainer N P Littmoden
- Jockey Steven Harrison
tracked leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
- Form 1400-57
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 83
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey Ted Durcan
held up, ridden and headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
- Form 83/090-4
- Age 6
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer B Ellison
- Jockey Kerrin McEvoy
tracked leader, ridden and every chance over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
Michabo (IRE)
241- Form 262130-
- Age 4
- Weight 9-2
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer D R C Elsworth
- Jockey T Quinn
led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 3954-07
- Age 5
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 76
- Trainer T D Barron
- Jockey G Baker
held up, smooth headway over 3f out, led 2f out, soon edged left, pushed clear
- Form 674317
- Age 6
- Weight 8-10
- Official Rating 72
- Trainer B G Powell
- Jockey R L Moore
held up, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten
Mith Hill
26- Form 1110-71
- Age 4
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey J P Spencer
Nonrunner
In depth
Verdict
Some familiar names come into opposition in the finale and Le Tiss is just preferred over Inchpast and Mith Hill. That said, Eastborough has claims at the weights and it will be interesting if any support arrives for Brendan Powell's charge. Mith Hill won well at Hamilton last time and is obviously in good heart. However, he 4lb higher in the weights and has something to prove on his first try at the trip. Any rain will help his cause. Inchpast has experience of the trip and arrives here in good heart. He will act on the ground and can give the selection plenty to think about. However, Le Tiss makes more appeal at the likely prices, as he takes a significant drop in class today. The son of Croco Rouge has won off a 3lb higher mark in the past and, with the ground very much in his favour, Mick Channon's charge edges the vote in the finale.
Formwatch
Countrywide Luck 10-1 (8-7) Behind far side group until 6f out, ridden over 3f out, some headway over 2f out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 12l behind Tempsford (9-3) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (C1) sft in Oct.
Le Tiss (IRE) 8-1 (8-7) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 15l behind Flamboyant Lad (8-12) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (2) frm.
King Eider 16-1 (8-13) In touch, shaken up over 1f out, soon one pace, 4th of 12, 5l behind Dower House (8-10) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp (D2) pol in Feb.
Michabo (IRE) 9-1 (9-2) Led 2f, stayed prominent until weakened 3f out, 11th of 12, 23l behind Nordwind (9-5) at Goodwood 1m 3f 3yo hcp (D2) gd in Sept.
Trance (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Towards rear, pushed along over 3f out, some late headway, never near to challenge, 7th of 14, 22l behind Far Pavilions (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gf.
Eastborough (IRE) 9-2fav (9-5) Took keen hold towards rear, some headway 2f out, one pace and no impression over 1f out, 7th of 14, 7l behind Turnstile (9-9) at Kempton 1m 6f hcp (5) gd.
Archduke Ferdinand (FR) 12-1 (9-2) Held up, some headway over 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 14, well behind Dancing Bay (9-6) at Haydock 2m hcp 0-100 (C) gs in Jun.
Mith Hill 3-1fav (8-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, stayed on under pressure inside final furlong, won at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Apr beating Marias Magic (8-8) by a hd, 12 ran.
Malarkey 22-1 (9-3) Held up towards rear, smooth progress to lead 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, won at Thirsk 2m hcp (4) gd beating Sun Hill (7-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Mamcazma 20-1 (8-4) Behind, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 11l behind High Action (8-8) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp (2) gf.
Valance (IRE) 16-1 (9-0) Close up, hard ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, eased when well beaten final furlong, 13th of 16, 17l behind Escayola (9-7) at Ascot 2m hcp (C1) gf in Sept.
Inchpast 12-1 (8-10) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Far Pavilions (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gf.