Timeform Daily: Saturday July 18, 3:10, Newbury, 2.20, Newbury

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 17 July 2009 / Leave a Comment

14 start this one at Goodwood on Saturday afternoon. Timeform talk us through their chances.

2.20 SHADWELL STAKES (Hackwood) (Group 3) (1)

Colic surgery is a serious business for a thoroughbred, the top-class War Artist suffering that fate in January. If fully recovered he should win, but that's a big if and on this occasion the progressive High Standing just gets the nod. Forgive Palace Moon his latest blip and there could be more to come from Hughie Morrison's powerhouse.

Edge Closer Improved sprinter last season, winning twice at listed level. Slow away on his return, so forgiven that, but below par in a Group 2 at York last time. However, will be thereabouts if bouncing back.

High Standing Useful for previous stable but taken a real leap forward for new yard, winning both his starts in the style of an improved performer. Hasn't finished progressing yet but stall 28 a concern.

Icelandic Initially improved on coming over from Italy, winning twice in 2008. Struggled to make the same impact this season and seems better granted some ease in the ground.

Intrepid Jack Hold-up performer who is not the most consistent and yet to recapture the pick of his form this term, running poorly the last twice.

Judd Street Speedy sort with a sound record, showing a good attitude when winning listed contest at Salisbury last month, but found wanting all previous starts in Group company.

Matsunosuke Thrived during the winter with nap hand of wins, including in listed contest. Back to form when close fourth in Group 3 last time and should go well once more.

Palace Moon Promising in 3 starts last term but reappearance demolition of smart handicappers at Doncaster in March represented exponential improvement. Entered in the July Cup and the one to beat.

Prime Defender Very useful sprinter on his day and plenty of solid efforts to his name in 2008. Only seventh in this last year, however, and usually found out at this level.

Shallal Early career full of promise, including fourth to Paco Boy in 7f Group 3 on 2008 reappearance. Showed he retains plenty of ability on reappearance and drop back to 6f should help.

War Artist Group 1 winner in South Africa who also did very well in Britain last year, twice placed at highest level. Will be hard to beat if able to reproduce anything like best on return to action.

Festoso Presumably had her share of problems but improved form when winning heavy-ground listed event at Haydock in May. Unable to replicate that when upped to this grade last time, however.

Doncaster Rover Useful early-season 2-y-o who has clearly trained on. Best effort when runner-up in listed event over course and distance last time on first start for current yard. Entitled to respect.

Spin Cycle Smart effort to win at Musselburgh on reappearance but well held in Group 1 at Ascot last time. Chance if returning to reappearance form.

Madame Trop Vite Progressed well through 2008, winning 3 times, including Group 2 Flying Childers Stakes. Looked to be coming to hand when sixth in listed race in France last time, but probably won't be good enough.

Weekend Preview

Newbury stages the feature card on Saturday, with the richly-endowed Weatherbys Super Sprint the highlight. Dominant two-year-old trainer Richard Hannon has won the race on six occasions, his last victory coming in 2005 with 100/1-shot Lady Livius, and he is responsible for five of the twenty-five-runner field. The first string looks to be the Richard Hughes-ridden Monsieur Chevalier, who lost his unbeaten record when fifth in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, having encountered trouble in running. Monsieur Chevalier is set to carry second top-weight in a race where the weights are decided relative to the horse's sale price at auction. William Haggas won last years renewal with Jargelle, and looks to repeat the success with impressive maiden winner Shamandar.

There is a strong supporting card at Newbury, with the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes featuring Wokingham winner High Standing, who steps into pattern company for the first time, while the listed Steventon Stakes sees the return to action of 2008 Breeders Cup Marathon winner Muhannak.

Over at Newmarket, the listed Plantation Stakes for fillies and mares looks a strong race for the grade, with Ribblesdale runner-up Flame Of Gibraltar stepping down in class and taking on her elders for the first time. The best of the older brigade looks to be the enigmatic Barshiba who has to carry a Group 2 penalty for her success in the Lancashire Oaks last time.

The feature of the card at Ripon on Saturday is a competitive Class 2 handicap, with four of the six runners having won last time out. The race is headed by the useful pair Fortuni and Kings Destiny, with the former an impressive winner at Lingfield last time and an entrant in both the Ebor and St Leger. Michael Jarvis's Kings Destiny was slightly unlucky in running when second to subsequent winner Quai d'Orsay at Musselburgh last time, while the Mark Johnston-trained Matraash seeks a hat-trick .