Newmarket Preview - 24/06/2021

MAYBURY left a rather disapointing debut way behind when finishing a staying-on third in the Woodcote at Epsom earlier this month and a repeat of that performance that may well be enough to take this.

He was left with a seemingly impossible task from the rear but picked up well from the 2f pole in the manner of one who ought to be winning races sooner rather than later.

SPIRIT MIXER lost little in defeat to a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver last time out, and whilst he is yet to register his first success, he clearly benefitted from the step up in distance on that occasion and could have a say in this sphere, racing off an unchanged mark.

The contest does represent a slight rise in grade but he arrives off a feather-weight and remains very much unexposed with plenty of room for improvement.

AKKERINGA landed a market gamble without barely breaking a sweat at Doncaster earlier this month and looks difficult to oppose here having been quickly turned out by connections under a 6lb penalty.

He faces tougher opposition on this occasion, however looks to have his ideal conditions and should prove a tough nut to crack.

Many of today's opposition remain of an unknown quality due to their lack of real racing experience thereby allowing for a tentative vote of confidence to Frankel filly MALATHAAT, who stepped up a fair deal on her debut when finishing runner-up behind the now-useful Air To Air on the Rowley Course last month.

She was acquired by connections for a whopping €500,000 and is impressively bred.

Richard Hannon's 3yo will be expected to be winning races sooner rather than later if she is to start to repay that hefty price tag.

It is feasible to think much better was expected of DULAS last time out when failing to handle the demands of Epsom, albeit whilst having his excuses that day.

Prior that run, Charlie Hills' filly was enjoying a progressive 4yo season having returned to winning ways in a 7f Goodwood handicap on the back of 2 solid runner up efforts.

His form this year reads well in the context of this race and the booking of Ryan Moore suggests connections are hopeful he can bounce back.

ALABAMA BOY has improved a fair deal for the switch to handicaps, defying a 10lb rise over a mile here whilst conceding weight to a number of his rivals.

The son of Awtaad shaped like a horse who may still be ahead of the assessor on that occasion and he looks to hold strong claims for completing the hat-trick with champion jockey, Oisin Murphy, now getting the leg up on board, despite a 3lb higher mark.

In a competitive finale at Newmarket, entrant, MICHAELS CHOICE, could be the answer to the conundrum, after running well for a long way at Windsor last month, headed only inside the final furlong, suggesting the step back down to 5f could be the right move.

Connections have opted to take that decision here and the booking of Tom Marquand (last successful with him aboard) suggests a bold showing may well be forthcoming.