Free H'cap

Newmarket 3.35

bluesquare.com European Free Handicap (Listed) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £22,708

Iver Bridge Lad: Well beaten by smart horse in Red Jazz 1st time up and gave that form a decent boost albeit when being well beaten by Moinesur Chevalier in a Newmarket conditions event on his second start; Was always going to make short work of his maiden stakes field at Kempton; Reached new career best when holding out Di Stefano in Sandown listed race; Then ran a series of career best efforts; Chance in this off the mark he has.

Red Jazz: Beautifully bred colt by Johannesburg out of a Sword Dance Mare (Now That’s Jazz), so bred with a near – perfect mix of stamina and speed to last out a strong 6f (should get further); Broke smartly and blazed away to decimate opposition in 5f Windsor maiden; Stepped up on that from when winner of a good 6f conditions stakes at Ascot; Flopped in the Covnentry but good third behind Morny Winner Arcano and that gives him big chance; He will like the trip.

Mata Kerangjang: Fascinating contender having been pitched into listed company first time out and not only that, the form of his race was been boosted by Special Duty, who won the Prix Robert Papin and went on to bigger things.; Hasn’t progressed as much as expected but still holds a high level of form in this race.

Audacity Of Hope: Landed nurseries at Doncaster and Newmarket as a juvenile ; Bit better than result final 2 starts (close third in Group 3 second occasion) so holds every chance in a race like this if bringing that to the table.

Quadrille: : Progressive form at 2 yrs, successful first 2 starts and useful effort when second in 7f Ascot conditions event; Would need to step up a bit on that and maybe he should have won taking into account his useful previous 2 wins but still could be better than his current mark.

Fremont: Did little wrong on the face of things last season, winning his maiden, finding the Coventry Stakes too much and then finishing fourth in a good sales event; Wouldn’t be totally inconvenienced  by a test of speed but others do look more solid;Check market.

Hanson D: Hacked up by 6 lengths last time but that not an improvement based on form of York fourth and was then well beaten in Racing Post Trophy; Didn’t get a clear run when fourth and will have fitness edge but yet to prove he’s well handicapped off his mark.

VERDICT; A fiercely competitive handicap. The two I like most are Mata Keranjang and RED JAZZ, the latter getting the vote because he perfumed well on all but one start last season and based on his last start, was pushing Group class. He’s only had 4 runs too. The Hannon pair are ones to watch and Quadrlle may be worth an e/w bet on the basis of the price.