16:25 Newmarket

Saturday 26 June 2021

All13:0013:3514:0514:4015:1515:5016:25

Close Brothers Handicap

Off time: 16:27 | Winning time: 2m 6.73s

(6)

Khatm⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-5| J: Nicola Currie| T: G Boughey| OR: 82| BF| D

18/1

Prolific on AW earlier this year and, while his latest effort left the impression a busy spell had caught up with him, it would be no great surprise if he resumed progress on turf debut after a break.

Form: 112114

(3)

Pledge Of Honour²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: George Downing| T: D K Ivory| OR: 77| BF| D

14/1

Newbury winner last year and back on track when second at Lingfield 3 weeks ago. Needs to do more if he's to defy his current mark against less-exposed types.

Form: 3U18-62

(9)

Wimpole Hall^p⁵¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: W Jarvis| OR: 72| CD

50/1

Scored on the Rowley course off a higher mark last year and returned with a creditable fourth at Chelmsford 51 days ago. Tendency to break slowly will hinder him at this track, though.

Form: 18600-4

(2)

Hotspur Harry¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: S W Kelly| T: R Eddery| OR: 72| D

28/1

Scored off this mark at Newcastle in April and shaped a bit better than the result when mid-field at York 15 days ago. Not without a chance if they go a strong pace.

Form: 701356

(7)

Mr Excellency¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 81

4/1

Won his first two starts (both at Southwell) but handicap mark has seemed about right on turf subsequently.

Form: 1-1364

(10)

Willyorwon't He²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Shepherd| T: P J McBride| OR: 81

15/2

Came good at the sixth time of asking in 1m Kempton handicap in May, then bumped into a progressive type when runner-up at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Big player if he gets this longer trip.

Form: 3-26212

(4)

Fiordland^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Ferguson| OR: 77

11/1

Followed novice win over 7f at Wolverhampton with good third on 1m Windsor handicap bow and was back to form when third at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Should get this longer trip.

Form: 7-21394

(5)

Grand Scheme³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 77

11/1

Returned much improved when scoring in 1m handicap at Chepstow but has looked averagely handicapped on both subsequent outings. Unexposed at this trip.

Form: 522-139

(11)

Encourage³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 76

10/3

Shaped well all 3 starts as a juvenile, then better than the result both outings this term. Back up in trip and remains with potential, so one to consider.

Form: 423-55

(1)

Greystoke¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M R Channon| OR: 76| D

11/2

Back-to-back winner in April, including on turf at Redcar over this trip. Hasn't really been firing subsequently, though.

Form: 511746

(8)

L'Operateur³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: Sir M Todd| OR: 75

7/1

Hasn't had much racing and, having shaped well at Windsor on his penultimate start, he did enough to think he's still in form when sixth at Kempton last time. Longer trip could suit.

Form: 69-326

Forecasts

Encourage (10/3), Mr Excellency (4/1), Greystoke (11/2), L'Operateur (7/1), Willyorwon't He (15/2), Grand Scheme (11/1), Fiordland (11/1), Pledge Of Honour (14/1), Khatm (18/1), Hotspur Harry (28/1), Wimpole Hall (50/1)

ENCOURAGE has, on more than one occasion, left the impression there's a bigger effort in him and the return to this trip could be the catalyst for it, so he gets the nod in a wide-open event. The in-form Willyorwon't He is a clear threat and Khatm makes appeal switched to turf after a break.