The 17:50 at Newmarket’s July Course looks a sharp, competitive fillies’ handicap where the early pace could decide everything. Over six furlongs on good-to-firm ground, this is unlikely to be slowly run, with Angel Shared, Shallow and Lara Antipova all capable of pushing forward.

Last year’s winner Angel Shared returns to ideal conditions and is dangerous if allowed to dictate. She built a strong record over this course and distance on quick ground last summer, but this year’s race may not give her the same freedom. With other pace around her, she could be vulnerable late.

That scenario brings Polka Blue firmly into the picture. Charles Hills’ three-year-old arrives in peak form after wins at Leicester and Lingfield, and her run style suggests she should be well suited by a strongly run six furlongs. She travels well, has already won on good-to-firm ground, and still looks progressive.

Shallow is another major player. A course-and-distance winner, she has been running consistently well since cheekpieces went on, including a good third at York last time. She is tactically versatile enough to sit handy without needing to lead, which is a useful asset in this field.

The most interesting value angle may be Brisk Symphony. She has twice run well over seven furlongs this season and now drops back to six, where a strong pace could help her settle and finish. Her juvenile form on quick ground reads well, and she looks capable of better than her current mark.

There’s A Chance is respected after her Haydock win, but the switch from soft ground to good-to-firm is the obvious question. She is progressive, but she may need to prove she is quite as effective under these faster conditions.

Of the rest, Lara Antipova has potential on handicap debut but may not get the easy lead she enjoyed at Lingfield, while Eskimo Pie needs to revive her juvenile promise. Powdering has place form but looks to need improvement to win.

Verdict

This race should be run at a proper tempo, which makes Polka Blue the most appealing winner. She is progressive, handles quick ground, and may get the race run to suit. Brisk Symphony is the value alternative if available at bigger odds, while Shallow should again run her race.

Selection: Polka Blue
Value angle: Brisk Symphony
Danger: Shallow