A competitive three-year-old handicap closes the card at Newbury, with several progressive fillies making their handicap careers and a number of runners open to significant improvement over the straight mile.

The market is headed by Accademia, who arrives on the back of a convincing success at Doncaster earlier this month. Ed Walker’s filly took a sizeable step forward on her second start of the season and remains relatively unexposed after just five career starts. The key question is whether she can reproduce that improvement over a mile, having done her best work so far at 7f. If she stays, she’s a major player despite a 7lb rise.

Perhaps the most intriguing contender is Lightning Glory, who shaped extremely well when runner-up on her handicap debut at Southwell. The Crisford-trained filly travelled strongly throughout that contest and looks likely to benefit from today’s straight-mile test. Already proven competitive from her current mark and effectively ahead of the handicapper, she appeals as one of the more solid options in a race full of potential improvers.

Rajiba is another with considerable upside. Richard Hughes’ filly improved her Racing Post Rating with each of her three starts in novice company and now makes her handicap debut under Oisin Murphy. Her pedigree and racing style suggest a mile should suit well, and any further progress would make her a serious threat despite her lack of turf experience.

The reliable Luminare brings the strongest established handicap form to the table. William Haggas’ filly has run well in consecutive turf handicaps, including over this course and distance, and is unlikely to be far away if the younger improvers fail to take the anticipated step forward. She may lack the scope of some rivals but sets a useful benchmark.

Of the others, Areti looks capable of hitting the frame again after a promising handicap debut at Southwell, while Starlight Sami could bounce back if forgiven his troubled run over this track and trip last month. Name The Day arrives on the back of a novice success at Chepstow but still has to prove she stays the mile.

From a pace perspective, the race lacks an obvious front-runner and could develop into a tactical affair. In such circumstances, runners capable of quickening off a steady gallop may hold an advantage, which further enhances the claims of the lightly raced fillies near the top of the market.

Verdict: Lightning Glory narrowly gets the vote. Her handicap debut effort suggested she remains ahead of her mark, and she combines proven recent form with further improvement potential. Rajiba rates the chief danger on handicap debut, while Accademia is respected but must answer a stamina question at the trip.

1. Lightning Glory
2. Rajiba
3. Accademia
4. Luminare