14:05 Haydock

Sunday 5 July 2020

All12:0012:3013:0013:3014:0514:4015:1515:5016:20

bet365 Handicap

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 3m 9.55s

(8)

Subjectivist¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 97

7/2

Highly tried last year, and best effort this term when a good third of 17 in King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, despite racing wide on the track. Every chance if he can back that up.

Form: 16247-3

(2)

Punctuation¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: A M Balding| OR: 89

12/1

This is easier than the Queen's Vase he raced in last time, but he will still need to improve on his best effort, which came in a 1½m maiden win at Kempton, if he's to defy a stiff-looking mark.

Form: 2166

(1)

To Nathaniel^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: N Mackay| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 88

12/1

Flopped at Royal Ascot behind Hukum last time, but had gained back-to-back wins at up to 1½m prior to that. Needs to show he can reproduce his form on turf, but no reason to think he won't on breeding.

Form: 0-3110

(5)

Dark Heart¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P J McDonald| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 85

33/1

Won a 1½m novice at Newcastle in March, and matched that form when runner-up to an easy winner on handicap debut at Ripon last time. That was not a deep race, however, and much more needed now.

Form: 3-3182

(3)

Jellystone²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 85

12/1

Much improved since handicapping at middle distances, winning at Yarmouth and Kempton from the front. Steps up from 1½m, but gives the impression he'll stay.

Form: 7546-11

(9)

Cedar Cage^p1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 80

7/1

Won a 7f Southwell novice in the autumn, but bred for further, and much improved when 2L third of 7 to To Nathaniel on handicap debut at Kempton (1m3f) last month. Cheekpieces on now, and no surprise to see him turn the tables if staying this trip.

Form: 521-3

(6)

Favorite Moon²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: W J Haggas| OR: 80| BF

9/5

Progressive maiden in the autumn who wasn't seen to best effect when second on handicap debut at Doncaster (1½m) on return. Has more to offer, and should find this longer trip helping.

Form: 643-2

(4)

Duke Of Condicote¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: David Egan| T: A King| OR: 78| C

9/2

Improved markedly on 2-y-o form when winning a 1m3½f handicap here on his return, and ran well when 1¾L second of 6 to Grand Bazaar at Windsor last time. Will benefit from this stiffer test, and respected.

Form: 0654-12

Non-Runners

(7)

Harmonious²⁷

Weight: 8-5| Age: 3

T: M Meade J: George Wood

Forecasts

Favorite Moon (9/5), Subjectivist (7/2), Duke Of Condicote (9/2), Cedar Cage (7/1), Harmonious (8/1), Punctuation (12/1), To Nathaniel (12/1), Jellystone (12/1), Dark Heart (33/1)

A wide-open 3-y-o handicap with the runners all stepping up in trip. Subjectivist is respected after his big effort in the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot, but preference is for the lightly weighted DUKE OF CONDICOTE, who looks to be crying out for this trip, and didn't get enough of a test at Windsor last time. Harmonious wasn't far behind the selection here last month, so shouldn't be ruled out, a comment which also goes to the well-bred maiden Favorite Moon.