Newmarket - Thursday 20th August 2026
MINKAAS was a close-up third to a well-reagrded filly on the second of her two previous starts and seems to be heading in the right direction. The daughter of Minzaal has a very likeable pedigree and can make her experience count. Zephyra ran green in the early stages when introduced over C&D a fortnight ago, but picked up well to finish a clear second. She, too, should have plenty more to offer. Plastic Dream and Scoot Away are interesting newcomers to monitor in the betting.
TIE A NAVYRIBBON was a respectable third when introduced in a maiden over 7f here last month before stepping up for a crack at the Sweet Solera 12 days ago. She set the early fractions in that Group 3 event before finding herself out of her depth. This is far more within reach and the drop in class can see her off the mark at the third attempt. Missouri Waltz won stylishly at Catterick and should go close, despite a 4lb penalty. Voyager One is a half-sister to five winners and is an interesting newcomer to consider.
VENETIAN LION has scope for progression and appeals for a quick follow-up after a smooth win at Nottingham 17 days ago. The William Haggas-trained gelding fully justified the strong support in the betting that day and appears capable of holding his own in this slightly deeper race. Mertoun has paid the price for a brace of wins in handicaps with a rising mark, but is dependable enough to warrant close inspection. Glen Nevis is less exposed than some of the others and is a reasonable alternative.
A case of sorts can be made for most of these, with a speculative vote going the way of ROUND THE TABLE. Held in high regard by connections, the son of Camelot defied a penalty when successful over 1m2f at Doncaster and looks one to keep on side now handicapping. Race To The Stars makes his belated reappearance having finished a close second at Chelmsford on his handicap bow last November, while Tycoon and Be Patient are others to consider.
CHERRY COBBLER left a couple of last-start winners trailing in his wake when romping home over C&D last weekend. That gives the form a solid look and Stuart Williams' charge can strike again now 3lb well-in, despite his 5lb penalty. Where's Freddy stumbled at the start here last time and is better judged on his earlier victory over track and trip. He could prove competitive off only 2lb higher, while Piscean Star has plenty of scope and might also have a say.
Sibling Rivelry found Society Girl too good over C&D, although she is weighted to turn the tables. She's also preferred to Jack Langley, who drops back in trip having placed over 1m6f here, but TRAVELING MAN could prove the one to side with. A solid third at Salisbury on last month's handicap bow, the son of Too Darn Hot may well take advantage of his unchanged mark and open his account with Charlie Fellowes' yard in fine form.
MINKAAS took another step forward when third at Yarmouth last time, beaten by less than a length in third, and should continue to progress over this trip. She looks an effective sprinter, and is capable of making her presence felt again. Elpeeare also improved when beaten by a couple of lengths in fourth at Sandown and is bred to be a useful over this distance, so further progress would give her a chance. Zephyra showed plenty of promise when runner-up over C&D on debut, beating market expectations, and can improve for that experience for an in-form Marco Botti, although her pedigree suggests she may ultimately appreciate further.
TIE A NAVYRIBBON can bounce back after finding the Group 3 Stud Sweet Solera Stakes too much here last time, having made too much use of and not seeing it out. She drops back into calmer waters and has already shown enough to suggest she can open her account at a lower grade. Missouri Waltz made a very promising start when winning by a length at Catterick and should have plenty more to offer, particularly with this extra furlong likely to suit. Mandolin Rain was only modest when fourth over 6f at Nottingham on debut but is bred to appreciate a step up in trip and could improve significantly over a mile.
VENETIAN LION arrives in good form after winning by a couple of lengths at Nottingham last time and remains unexposed. Despite a 7lb rise, he can go well again for the in-form William Haggas yard. Mertoun has been rapidly progressive in handicaps, following impressive wins at Windsor and Carlisle with a better-than-the-result fourth in this grade on his latest start, and can remain competitive from the same mark. Calyxoh has seen his mark ease by a couple of lbs again after finishing third by a few lengths over C*D last time and, if returning to his best, can also have a say.
RACE TO THE STARS ran to a generally solid level across his initial three starts last season, rounding the campaign off when beaten by a neck over 10f at Chelmsford. The Sea The Stars gelding has to prove his fitness as he prepares to the return for the first time since November on his seasonal reappearance this late in term, but could still be open to improvement, so is taken to get off the mark for the in-form Charlie Appleby. Round The Table completed a double at Doncaster last time, following up his convincing Ffos Las maiden success with a narrower victory in a novice race, and has the chance to land a hat-trick on handicap debut. First Officer had been knocking on the door with a couple of seconds and was better than the bare result when fourth but only beaten by a length here last time, so can go well again off this mark.
CHERRY COBBLER arrives in red-hot form after bolting up by six lengths over C&D last time, and although 5lb higher, he is at his career best and has a good record here, so he looks capable of following up from his revised mark. Sun Of Dolly was only beaten by little more than a length at Epsom last time from this mark and can have a say if building on that effort, while Mr Writer couldn't follow up his Leicester success at Ascot last time, but still looks on a fair mark and can bounce back.
SOCIETY GIRL has been in good form and narrowly landed a handicap over C&D last time, showing she is effective at this trip. She is only 2lb higher here and, with conditions to suit again, can go well. Jack Langley has been very consistent since his four length success at Lingfield, most recently finishing second from the same mark as today, and should remain competitive. Sibling Rivelry ran to her very best when beaten only half a length by today's main rival last time and can be competitive again despite remaining 4lb above her last winning mark.
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