Betway Hever Sprint Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 14:06 | Winning time: 56.92s

(1)

Corinthia Knight²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 107| CD

5/1

Eight wins from 15 starts on AW with the highlight coming here on AW Championships Day. Has been come less consistent than his record suggests of late though and probably better over 6f.

Form: 3618-58

(3)

Encore d'Or³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: L Morris| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 109| CD

7/4

Eight wins from 18 AW starts and has been better than ever of late with three wins in his last four starts, only beaten by a very smart horse at Dundalk on other start. A reproduction of that Group 3 effort should be enough to take this.

Form: 63112-1

(4)

Gracious John⁵¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: E J Walsh| T: P D Evans| OR: 102| BF| CD

12/1

Won this race last year but seems to have lost some of his ability since. His placed efforts in December weren't devoid of promise but has a fair amount to find at these weights.

Form: 74923-6

(6)

Ornate²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 95| BF| D

9/1

Only narrowly denied by Encore D'or two starts back and not disgraced at Southwell subsequently. Likes to dominate in his races so widest draw not ideal but might be able to hold on for a place if he can get to the front.

Form: 2-31122

(5)

Royal Birth^t⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 97| CD

10/1

Has won five times on AW but his losing run is mounting up and hasn't had a win since his success in this race back in 2017. Ran okay when runner-up at Chelmsford last time but has to do more to get involved here.

Form: 29954-2

(2)

Gorgeous Noora²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 98| C

2/1

Career best when she bolted up in a handicap in January but no match for a very smart sprinter last time out. Interesting contender if this drop in trip ekes out some improvement.

Form: 245-312

Forecasts

Encore d'Or (7/4), Gorgeous Noora (2/1), Corinthia Knight (5/1), Ornate (9/1), Royal Birth (10/1), Gracious John (12/1)

ENCORE D'OR is going to be hard to beat if he turns up in the form that saw him finish a half length behind talented sprinter Hit The Bid in a Group 3 race at Dundalk and he's hard to oppose in his current run of firm. Gorgeous Noora is interesting down in trip while Ornate can't be ruled out if he can get to the front from his draw (6).