Pace Angles: A solid gallop looks likely here, with several habitual pace pressers. Lipsink, Bluebells Boy, and Sarafina Mshairi all prefer to be prominent, and Temple Bruer is most effective with a lead. This setup could set the race up for one ridden with a patient or stalking ride.
Draw Angles: Historically, Newmarket (July) 6f on quick ground tends to favour stands’ side (high) if the field edges that way, though no hard bias is expected. Low draws (Starproof in 1, Sarafina Mshairi in 2) could be slightly disadvantaged if they stay isolated.
Strongest Contenders, Main Dangers, and Interesting Outsiders
Strongest Contenders:
- Ray Vonn (Proven): Strong form profile with back-to-back career-bests in May and July. Won over C&D, and both his 2025 wins have come here. His disappointing latest effort at Chepstow came off a break and he is known to go well fresh. Adjusted RPRs of 80/79/79 mark him as a clear contender now down to Class 5 with an ideal setup. Drawn 6 and tactically versatile.
- Starproof (Proven): Back to winning form last time with an efficient energy distribution along the stands’ rail. Drops 1lb, has an in-form yard (86% rtf) and retains Tom Marquand. 2025 RPRs of 85/84/83 stand up to scrutiny. Drawn 1 is a small concern unless they stay far side.
- Temple Bruer (Proven): Often thrives with pace to chase and enjoys summer fast-ground sprints. Consistent RPRs in the high 70s and returns to a 65 mark which he’s competitive off. Multiple C&D wins in career and connections retain Cieren Fallon. Late-running style may be well suited by this setup.
Main Dangers:
- Royal Accord (Progressive): 3yo with a good profile: three wins already this season, including a very solid second at Leicester (RPR 72) last time. Runs off 69 here, which may test him against older horses, but he’s consistent and may still be improving. Claimer Olivia Haines takes off 7lb.
- Sarafina Mshairi (Promising): Lightly raced filly who returned from a break with a career-best RPR of 73 at Windsor. Trainer operating at 100% rtf, she has early pace and a tactically versatile rider in Ashley Lewis. Still scope for progress on turf.
- Lipsink (Exposed but still capable): Fair handicapper who usually runs well in this grade. Winless in 2025, but RPRs of 87 this season show he still has the ability. Claimer Jack Dace (5) takes over. Hasn’t been finishing strongly of late, but dropping in class and might get a soft lead.
Interesting Outsiders:
- Rinky Tinky Tinky (Unexposed): Unexposed and shaping well in solid 0-65 form. Winner earlier in the season and no run style issues. RPR 77 is competitive if she takes another step forward.
- Bluebells Boy (Regressive): Hasn’t found form since returning to turf but was on a tear over the winter (RPRs 83/80/75). May not be ideally suited by quick ground, but not impossible he revives with blinkers back on.
Runner Scores & Suitability Analysis
- Ray Vonn: 8.5/10 – Well suited to C&D and ground, proven at the grade, strong adjusted figures.
- Starproof: 8/10 – In-form, returned to form decisively last time, slight concern over draw.
- Temple Bruer: 7.5/10 – Better than recent form suggests, has winning course form, race could pan out perfectly.
- Royal Accord: 7/10 – Progressive 3yo, good attitude, not clearly ahead of his mark.
- Sarafina Mshairi: 7/10 – Scopey and lightly raced, stable in top form.
- Lipsink: 6.5/10 – Visor/tongue-tie combos suggest they’re searching for a key. Capable on best but inconsistent.
- Rinky Tinky Tinky: 6/10 – Still has upside but hasn’t conclusively shown she’s up to Class 5.
- Bluebells Boy: 5.5/10 – All recent best form on AW, turf form well below.
- Ottawa: 5/10 – Handicap debut, may improve, but nothing in form screams he’s ready to win.
- Travel Agent: 4/10 – Nothing shown in form to suggest he’s competitive yet.
- Kitty Bennet: 4/10 – Flat profile, little progress this season.
Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles (12 runners)
- Temple Bruer makes each-way appeal at a likely double-figure price.
- Sarafina Mshairi, as a prominent filly with form and potential improvement, could sneak into the frame.
Private Tissue Estimate
- Ray Vonn: 4/1
- Starproof: 9/2
- Royal Accord: 6/1
- Temple Bruer: 7/1
- Sarafina Mshairi: 10/1
- Lipsink: 11/1
- Rinky Tinky Tinky: 14/1
- Bluebells Boy: 16/1
- Ottawa: 20/1
- Travel Agent: 25/1
- Kitty Bennet: 25/1
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary + Professional Punter View
This looks a highly competitive Class 5 sprint with several solid, exposed older horses taking on a couple of upwardly mobile 3yo types. The pace looks honest, which could favour stalkers and late closers. Ray Vonn ticks nearly every box — back to C&D, down in grade, and likely to be fresher after a modest reappearance. Starproof impressed last time and looks to have a better attitude now dropped back to 6f. Temple Bruer remains capable off this mark if he gets the right race shape.
Smart Play
- Win Selection: Ray Vonn – Proven, multiple C&D winner, back to ideal setup.
- Each-Way Saver: Temple Bruer – Well treated, better than recent form, suited by race tempo.
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