13:40 Newmarket

Saturday 6 May 2023

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:4017:1517:50

Howden Handicap

Off time: 13:44 | Winning time: 2m 36.06s

(10)

Stowell^t¹⁸⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 103| D

10/1

Had 3-y-o season cut short but an encouragement when third in Group 3 on 2022 return at Newbury. Failed to kick on from though, and having been sold for 95,000 gns, didn't give his running after 4 months off (had breathing op) when last of 9 in listed event at Kempton 6 months ago.

Form: 5/34639-

(9)

Raymond Tusk¹¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 99| D

18/1

Useful performer on the Flat but last seen tailed-off in minor event at Southwell (16.5f) 4 months ago. Handicapper given him a chance back on turf/at a more suitable trip, but others make more appeal for win purposes.

Form: 57004-7

(2)

Moktasaab¹⁹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 97

7/2

Hit the ground running for this yard last season, scoring at Goodwood and Newbury. Far from disgraced in better company after but attitude increasingly let him down towards the back end of the year, so percentage call is to look elsewhere on return.

Form: 603627-

(1)

Teumessias Fox⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| D

10/3

Gelded in the interim and proved much too good returned to all-weather after 6 months off in 11-runner handicap at Kempton a couple of months ago, going clear in impressive fashion under hands-and-heels riding. Hit with 10 lb rise but remains of interest back on turf.

Form: 26207-1

(3)

Prydwen²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: George Scott| OR: 96| D

18/1

Had top claimer up and duly stepped up on his reappearance effort when cosily scoring at Wolverhampton (12.2f, 15/2) in March, despite coming wide. Creditable effort in a better race when mid-field at Kempton (11f) since but even more needed back on turf.

Form: 310-718

(8)

Capital Theory⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 88

11/2

On the up with 3 AW wins in December and has continued the good work since, including a win at Chelmsford (1¼m) in March. Handled conditions when runner-up back on turf at Ripon (12f, heavy) last week and not without hope if handling the quick turnaround.

Form: 222152

(7)

Crystal Delight⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: W Jarvis| OR: 87| BF

9/2

Opened his account on first outing since leaving Sir Michael Stoute (60,000 gns) after a breathing operation at Lingfield in December and has hit the crossbar on both subsequent starts, not seen to best effect back there 11 weeks ago. Remains unexposed so one to consider.

Form: 341-22

(11)

Star Caliber^h¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 86

33/1

Drawn a blank since debut win in autumn 2020 but he's pretty useful and was a good third in a valuable Chester handicap on final run of a light campaign last season. Offered little on first start for new connections at Newbury (16.5f, heavy) just over 2 weeks ago so probably best watched.

Form: 2/0433-0

(4)

Ace Rothstein⁶²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: J Quinn| T: Martin Smith| OR: 85

33/1

Useful operator who made a solid start for this stable when seventh of 18 at Goodwood in last summer. Had a handful of spins over hurdles this year, going agonisingly close at Huntington (15.8f, good to soft) a couple of months ago so not totally dismissed back in this sphere.

Form: 594796-

(6)

Vaynor¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: C Hills| OR: 84| D

12/1

Notched his fourth success of 2022 at Chelmsford (13.3f) when last seen 6 months ago, showing his versatility and having just enough to fend off the rallying leader. Returns from a just a 2 lb higher mark and every chance he will be involved.

Form: 154211-

(5)

Obsidian Knight²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: A J Farragher⁽³⁾| T: T Kent| OR: 79| D

16/1

Notched a third success at Lingfield in January and remained in good nick, finishing a close seventh back there (10f, AW) last month (finishing with running left). However, both previous efforts on turf left plenty to be desired so tough to support.

Form: 2-21227

Forecasts

Teumessias Fox (10/3), Moktasaab (7/2), Crystal Delight (9/2), Capital Theory (11/2), Stowell (10/1), Vaynor (12/1), Obsidian Knight (16/1), Raymond Tusk (18/1), Prydwen (18/1), Ace Rothstein (33/1), Star Caliber (33/1)

A tricky start to proceedings but CRYSTAL DELIGHT wasn't seen to best effect when finishing runner-up at Lingfield 11 weeks ago, so William Jarvis' unexposed 4-y-o gets the verdict to double his tally at the expense of Teumessias Fox, who couldn't have been much more impressive when making a winning reappearance at Kempton a couple of months ago. Vaynor and Capital Theory can fight out third spot.