15:00 Newmarket

Friday 5 May 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Nyetimber Handicap

Off time: 15:01 | Winning time: 1m 25.76s

(4)

Accidental Agent^b¹⁹⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-10| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 104| CD

7/1

Queen Anne winner in his prime and confirmed himself still capable of smart form in handicaps last term, seventh in Balmoral Handicap at Ascot in October. Never figured at Lingfield (7f) on his final start but back to mark he tasted success from over C&D 13 months ago.

Form: 770978-

(5)

Bass Player¹⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| OR: 99| DWS

14/1

Doncaster maiden winner (at 7f) on debut last spring and made frame in stronger company on 2 of next 3 starts. Couldn't build on that thereafter, well held last of 9 in handicap at Newcastle (7f) in December. Had wind op ahead of return and interesting what the market makes of him.

Form: 352049-

(1)

Star Of Orion¹⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 92| D

4/1

Course winner who struggled to make an impact in big-field handicaps initially last term but back to form when runner-up on the July Course (in first-time blinkers) in August. Reverted to slow-starting ways final 2 starts and the headgear is left off on return.

Form: 002496-

(2)

The Gatekeeper²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 91| BF| D

10/3

Low-mileage 4-y-o who made light of a 20-month absence (also gelded) when making a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (7f) in March. Respectable efforts from inflated marks have followed, fourth in 11-runner Musselburgh handicap (7f) 4 weeks ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 540/154

(6)

Persuasion⁵⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: T D Barron| OR: 88| D

15/2

Winless last season but he did run well from much-reduced mark when second behind Final Watch in handicap at Ascot (7f) in September (clear of remainder). Possibly needed first start for 5 months at Southwell (7f) in March and he's entitled to be sharper with that under his belt.

Form: 23982-0

(8)

Final Watch¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W Stone| OR: 88| CD

10/3

Posted a career-best display when successful at Ascot (7f) in September and, having found races unfolding against him final 2 starts, he returned to his best when fourth in a C&D handicap 17 days ago, making late headway on back of slow start. Back on last winning mark.

Form: 66108-4

(7)

Darkness^v⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| BF| D

17/2

Three-time winner in France in 2-y-o season. Winless for present stable but he di run creditably back from 9 months off when second at Redcar (7f, heavy) in April. Not in same form at Ripon 19 days later but refitting of a visor may put an extra edge on him here.

Form: 7754-26

(3)

Lord Rapscallion^t,v⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-2| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 81| D

22/1

Bagged pair of Chelmsford handicaps from reduced mark in December and remained in good form on AW subsequently, third in 5-runner handicap back at that venue (7f) 8 days ago. More on his plate back up in grade, however.

Form: 1-48353

Forecasts

The Gatekeeper (10/3), Final Watch (10/3), Star Of Orion (4/1), Accidental Agent (7/1), Persuasion (15/2), Darkness (17/2), Bass Player (14/1), Lord Rapscallion (22/1)

A good winner from this mark at Ascot in September, FINAL WATCH hasn't been seen to best effect all 3 starts since, incluidng when finishing a creditable fourth on return over C&D 17 days ago. He could be worth chancing to build on that, with The Gatekeeper and Accidental Agent others to consider. Darkness isn't out of things either in a refitted visor.