Newmarket Saturday Preview - 08/06/2019

Jack's Point made a promising return to the racecourse setting at Goodwood, on what was his first start since a gelding operation, and looks a player in the July Course opener - the Bentley Cambridge Handicap.

His second to Beat Le Bon looks useful given his SP, and a 2lb rise certainly looks fair for that effort.

After victory in a Novice event in September at Chelmsford, he just lost his way a touch when venturing to France and Chantilly - but his third in Listed company at Deauville did make for good reading beforehand.

Last but one at Newmarket on return prompted the trainer to make a decision, and he might be much better for it now.

A seventeen-strong field go for the Bernard Sunley Memorial Handicap over 1m6f, and we have narrowed it down to What A Welcome and Speedo Boy.

Patrick Chamings runner has been a huge improver in the last twelve months, with a record of 8-11 in handicaps, and 8-10 before this season actually started.

Loves Ascot, but Haydock represents a new challenge in a different direction, and we are hopeful this son of Nathaniel can better his close second from Goodwood last time out.

A real fan favourite, whereas Speedo Boy brings form from both the flat and over jumps to the setting.

This five-year-old has had several good efforts in handicaps in the last year, which suggests he is capable of being on the premises.

Ground probably got the better of him last time at Chester, and should learn to get a bit more prominent this time to not suffer from the kickback.

Both have very good chances.

Ottoman Court was well held on debut at Nottingham on debut, but started that race a red-hot favourite at odds of 4/9, and will be a strong fancy to get off the mark in the Margaret Giffen Memorial British EBF Novice Stakes.

Son of Sharmardal, he is bred for a mile further down the line and represents a top global stable, trained in the UK by Charlie Appleby.

The winner of that Nottingham contest - Oh Purple Reign looks a top individual for Richard Hannon, and finished a gutsy second to Godolphin's Pinatubo in the Woodcote at Epsom.

Should definitely recover from greenness here, and be a strong candidate.

Flavius Titus has put together two strong efforts on the other course here this season, and could add another victory to his growing portfolio in the RWS/Strawberry Fields Stud Handicap over six furlongs.

He opened his account for the season on the Rowley Mile in a decent Class Two over David O'Meara's Summerghand, before finishing third to a decent Appleby horse when the form switched with the latter.

Bar the one disappointment at Goodwood last term, he usually runs to his mark, which has remained at 95 since his most recent outing.

Trainer and jockey have been in stunning form of late, and can certainly go well again here.

Nonchalance had no difficulty when landing the odds at Haydock over a mile on good to firm ground two weeks ago, and looks to build on that in the Keystone Law & Rae Guest Racing Fillies Novice Stakes.

The son of Dubawi finished fourth on debut to Roger Charlton's Tempus at Wolverhampton and clearly looked a class apart on first start on the turf in Liverpool.

More progression and improvement will be expected in another novice contest in the colours of HH Sheikha Al Jalila Racing, and should prove hard to beat on the July course.

Also a rare ride for Ryan Moore for trainer John Gosden.

No bet from us in the last, so our last selection at Newmarket is Gravistas in the John Holmes Handicap over 1m4f, who will look to end this never-ending run of seconds and in effect break his maiden tag.

The three-year-old colt came from the rear when runner-up over this distance in two handicaps this season, the latter at Musselburgh on good-to-soft.

Makes up an enormous amount of ground and just seems to find one too good, but this looks the best opportunity he may get for some time with his mark from last time retained.

Again we side with Ryan Moore, who rides for Mark Johnston in the 5:05.