Luke Morris: “The handicapper has given him a real chance here”

NEWMARKET

2.10

Colonel Whitehead

You obviously have to fear the three newcomers, but my mount looks to hold as good a chance of those with experience. He has progressed in each of his three starts, putting up his best effort yet when third over 5f at Sandown last week. His run-style and pedigree suggests this extra furlong will suit, too

 

2.45pm

Buccaneers Vault

He hasn’t been running up to his best of late, though the step down to 5f, even at Beverley, wouldn’t have been ideal last time. The handicapper has given him a real chance here though, and he is 10lb lower than when second at Doncaster over this trip in late May. On that form he has an obvious chance at the weights, but he needs to show more than he has recently, quite clearly. A bit of rain should be okay for him.

 

3.20pm

Mild Illusion

She got off the mark with a good win over 6f at Windsor last time. A mark of 73 seems to be fair on the balance of her form and there is no reason to suggest the step up to 7f will be a problem.

 

5.05pm

Holy Kingdom

He was a good second to an in-form horse here over course and distance last time, and a 2lb rise looks fair. That was back in June and I don’t know why he has been off for two months or so since, but he just gets into this 0-80 handicap off a mark of 82 and he has a decent chance.

 

5.35pm

Fashionesque

She followed up her Redcar win with an improved second under a penalty at Yarmouth last time. Her pedigree suggests this extra furlong, and further in time, will suit, her stable is in fair form and hopefully a mark of 70 makes her very competitive.