Norfolk Bridge Works Handicap (Rnd)

Off time: 14:45 | Winning time: 1m 37.87s

(5)

Bayraq^h1⁶⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 84

5/1

Kitten's Joy colt who confirmed debut promise when running out a good winner of a Kempton novice (7f) in October, travelling and keeping on well. Far too free on return from 6 months off behind Maljoom at Kempton (1m) in April but the hood may have positive effect now.

Form: 31-4

(1)

Maytree Respite²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 83

5/4

Mehmas gelding who made it second time lucky at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in December and at least as good when fourth on return in a strong-looking 1m novice here 3 weeks ago. May do better again now handicapping.

Form: 61-4

(2)

Tropez Power²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 80

15/2

Doubled career tally in a Wolverhampton nursery (9.5f) in November. Similar form on 2 of his 4 starts in defeat this year and likely 1¼m again stretched him when sixth of 7 in a handicap here latest. Still, he may be vulnerable to less exposed types here.

Form: 61-7636

(4)

Nietzsche's Star¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: A M Balding| OR: 77| D

7/4

Different proposition on back of being gelded/switched to handicaps, scoring on return at Leicester and following up in determined style at Newbury (1m) 15 days ago. That race lacked depth but he was nicely clear with runner-up and suspect there's more in his locker.

Form: 057-11

Non-Runners

(3)

Vintage Choice²⁷

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: W J Haggas J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Maytree Respite (5/4), Nietzsche's Star (7/4), Vintage Choice (7/2), Bayraq (5/1), Tropez Power (15/2)

Despite the small field, this is probably NEITZSCHE'S STAR's toughest assignment to date but he's looked an all-round improved model for being gelded/switched to handicaps and may well be up to completing the hat-trick with the prospect of even more to come. Maytree Respite likely has more to come and is feared most on handicap debut.