3.45pm Newbury Tips & Betting Preview 18/08/2017

A five furlong Listed contest for juvenile fillies won last year in smart style by Mrs Danvers. Read on for our runner by runner preview and expert tip.

IN SUMMARY: OUT OF THE FLAMES sets a strong standard here on her last two starts in much deeper company, including when third in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot. The drop back to that trip having been three lengths behind Clemmie last time out should suit her and she can score her second win. One Minute has looked good when winning two of her three starts, as long as the ground isn’t too quick she should make her presence felt. Mrs Gallagher was drawn on the wrong side in the Queen Mary and she may get a little closer to Out Of The Flames which can put her in the mix.

1 BORAGH STEPS – Irish raider has progressed steadily over six furlongs, shaping late on last time as if a drop to this shorter trip might see her in a better light. Softer ground would be no problem given her brother ran well on heavy in France. Her ability to stay further should be an asset if the ground deteriorates, has an each way chance.

2 EIRENE – Scored on soft ground at Doncaster, doing well given that she has to challenge wide of the field. She failed to back up the impression she made that day on her sole start since, not stepping forward on a similar surface. She has the ability to add to that record but it’s unlikely to be at this level.

3 FORMIDABLE KITT – Justified strong support on her debut, she has struggled when pitched into much deeper waters the last twice. She struggled late on in the piece on both occasions. All three of those runs have come on good to firm ground so a slower surface would be a question mark as well as her ability to make an impact at this level.

4 LISTEN ALEXANDER – Broke her duck at the fourth attempt when making all the running on the favoured stands rail at Chepstow. She struggled when upped to this level last time, albeit over a sixth furlong. The step down in trip looks a smart move, but she is going to have to produce something significantly more to get involved here.

5 LOOKS A MILLION – Outbattled an odds-on favourite at Sandown on her second start, patently failing to stay when stepped up in trip last time. She was behind Listen Alexander on that occasion and, while the drop in trip is in her favour, the level of form she has shown so far is some way short of what is required.

6 MISTY SPIRIT – Has stepped forward well on each occasion, easily making all last time out. That was over six furlongs but the pace she showed to take that contest by the scruff of the neck from an early stage strongly suggests that the drop in trip won’t be a concern. The handicapper has been kind to her with an opening mark of 76, so it’s a little surprising that connections are willing to potentially ruin it with a smart showing at Listed level.

7 MRS GALLAGHER – A winner of two of her three starts, she was only beaten six lengths in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot in-between them. She was drawn on the wrong side of the track on that occasion in stall one, the first home from a single figure draw with the first three coming from 20, 18 and 17 in a 23 runner field. She has a solid chance if she is able to get close to that level again.

8 ONE MINUTE – Two wins sandwich a nose second in her three start career. After the latter win, Maureen Haggas said, “She’s a sweet little filly and the ground was too firm for her at Yarmouth last time. She could come back for the Lowther”, so not only is there an easy excuse for her defeat, she is well enough regarded to be considered for a Group 2. Cut in the ground is no concern so she is another big player.

9 OUT OF THE FLAMES – Has the best form in the field, both on her third in the Queen Mary and fifth in the Duchess Of Cambridge. She didn’t get home over the sixth furlong last time but was still only beaten three lengths in a strong field. The drop in trip is in her favour and being by Showcasing, she should have few problems if the ground softens. She is very much the one to beat.

10 REFLECT ALEXANDER – Took until the fifth attempt to break her duck but stepped up on that considerably when fifth in a Listed contest at Deauville on Tuesday. Whether she is capable of running to that level again three days later is open for debate, especially given her age and the travelling involved so she is passed over.

11 SANKARI ROYALE – Stepped up every time she has headed to the track, showing a smart turn of foot to break her duck at the fourth attempt. She shaped as if a step up to six furlongs would suit her there, but this big field has a number who have won from the front so there should be no shortage of pace to tow her into the finish. Has a little to find to win this, she has progressed so far though and could do so further.

12 SHARSHAMPLA – Produced a taking performance on soft ground, only having to be pushed out hands and heels to score. She looks well up to a figure in the early to mid-80s on that occasion so she is going to have to step forward again but, with the threat of rain in the air to turn the ground towards a surface she has already won on, she looks to be in the mix.

13 VALIDATOR – Hasn’t looked the most resolute in a battle so far, travelling far better than Looks A Million at Sandown when they met, unable to hold off that rival when push came to shove. She again filled the runner-up spot at York when last seen, once more travelling with purpose. She will no doubt do so again, but is tough to support from a win point of view.

14 WINGS OF THE ROCK – Well seen off in the Queen Mary, she shaped far better in a first time hood in the Molecomb last time at Glorious Goodwood. That effort on soft ground was a career best so, with the same headgear retained, she has an outside squeak dropped to Listed level. However, the yard are in poor form, with just two winners from their last fifty plus runners.

15 WIRRAL GIRL – Last when sent off hot favourite on her debut, which came on soft ground. She left that well behind on quicker ground at Beverley in a race severely lacking in depth. Back on a softer surface now she has too much to prove, despite being the sole representative for Richard Fahey.

16 YOGI’S GIRL – Progressed rapidly in the first six weeks of the season, not seen since winning the Lily Agnes at Chester’s May meeting. The Queen Mary at Royal Ascot was the plan so she has clearly had a setback. She showed plenty of speed in both her wins so this should suit if she is ready to roll off the back of a 100 day break.