Race Preview: 4:08 Newmarket

This is the CopyBet Fillies’ Handicap, a quality Class 3 contest run over the iconic one-mile trip of the Rowley Mile. The race has attracted a competitive field of eight, and although open to older horses, it’s exclusively contested by progressive three-year-old fillies this year.

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The Leading Contenders

• Maybe Not: The likely favourite and a model of consistency. Since being switched to handicaps, her form figures read an impressive 12121. She has proven her toughness and class, notably when finishing a close second in a valuable 18-runner handicap at the York Ebor festival. She’s won over this 1-mile trip and arrives in peak form. She is the rock-solid contender and the one they all have to beat.
• Silent City: This filly boasts a crucial advantage over her rivals: she is a proven winner over this exact course and distance (C&D). She battled gamely to win here 32 days ago and has only been raised 1lb by the handicapper, which looks very lenient. With a progressive profile and a demonstrated ability to handle the unique undulations of the Rowley Mile, she is a major player.
• Orangesandlemons: A real specialist at this one-mile distance, with form figures of 2121 over the trip. She showed a fantastic attitude to win a competitive handicap final at Nottingham last time out. She is now on a career-high mark, but she’s clearly thriving and could have more to offer.
• Naga: The potential dark horse in the field. She represents the formidable combination of trainers John & Thady Gosden and jockey William Buick. Her best form, including a recent win, has come on the all-weather. However, as a daughter of Dubawi, she has the pedigree to be just as effective on turf and has had far fewer races than her main rivals. She could improve significantly.

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Don’t Discount…

• Tuesdays Child: She can’t be ruled out. When Silent City won over C&D last month, Tuesdays Child was just a neck behind her in fourth place. She now runs in a first-time tongue-tie, which could help her find the small amount of improvement needed to be right in the finish.

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Verdict

This is a fascinating and competitive handicap. Maybe Not is incredibly solid and is sure to run her race. However, slight preference is for SILENT CITY. Her proven ability to win over this specific course and distance is a massive plus, and the handicapper appears to have given her a real chance to follow up by raising her only 1lb.

Maybe Not rates as the most significant danger, while Naga has the unexposed profile to cause an upset if she takes to the turf.

1. Silent City
2. Maybe Not
3. Naga