Why this handicap could offer answers to tough punting puzzles later this week

3.00 Newmarket
Each Way Extra At bet365 Handicap (Heritage Handicap) | 3yo | 6f | ITV3/RTV

Three-year-old sprint handicaps do not come more competitive than this and with a big field spread across Newmarket’s July course the draw could play an integral role in the outcome.

The problem with the statistics on the draw is there have been only three sprint races at Newmarket in July that featured more than 19 runners in the last ten years, so any conclusions would be based on scant evidence.

Maybe the best thing to do here is to use this race, on the first day of the three-day festival, as a guide for the remainder of the meeting.

Three of the last six winners went on to win Group races and the best of them was Magical Memory, who won in 2015. His trainer Charlie Hills runs Jadwal (stall three) and Equality (eight), and a win for either would be a boost for those drawn low in Saturday’s July Cup.

Charlie Hills: saddles two in this competitive handicapCredit: Edward Whitaker

Magical Memory had finished third in the Charity Sprint at York before coming on to win here and Jadwal was fourth in that same race last month. He has had a similar preparation.

Jumby was a place ahead of Jadwal when the pair met on the Rowley Mile in May and they are closely matched here, with Jadwal on 2lb better terms. Jumby found the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot too hot last time and should be suited by this return to calmer waters.

He is drawn in ten and another market principal, Boomshalaa, is close by in seven. He was beaten just a head in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap over five furlongs at Royal Ascot and goes back up a furlong in trip. His previous two victories were over this distance.

Popmaster (stall 19) might prove best of those drawn high. Ed Walker has booked Oisin Murphy to ride and the pair have a 23 per cent strike-rate when teaming up in recent seasons.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

What they say

Roger Varian, trainer of Boomshalaa
He's trained nicely since his good run at Ascot. It's always a competitive race but the return to six furlongs will be in his favour.

Roger Teal, trainer of Whenthedealinsdone
He won well last time at Windsor. That was over five [furlongs] but I said to William [Buick, jockey] he'd do his best work at the end.

Ed Walker, trainer of Popmaster and Peerless
Popmaster ran a solid race on bad ground over five furlongs at Royal Ascot and should be suited by this step up in trip. Peerless had a lot of ground to make up at Bath last time but was flying at the finish.

Angus Gold, racing manager for Shadwell Stud, owner of Jadwal
He's a good, solid, hard-knocking horse who has been doing a good job and is really consistent. He'll give it a good go but may find one or two better than him.

Sam Hoskins, director of Kennet Valley Thorougbreds, owners of Equality
You can hopefully put a line through his last run at Ascot where the ground was far too soft. The trip is a question mark but he works well and we believe he should be competitive off this mark.

Michael Dods, trainer of Blackrod
He ran a very good race at York and is the type of horse who could improve through the season. He should be suited by good ground.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Akkeringa
Obviously we're 3lb out of the handicap and up in the weights after his win at Newmarket last time, which makes it difficult, but he's come out of the race well. We know the conditions should suit.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

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