17:15 Newmarket

Saturday 6 May 2023

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

Howden Insurance Handicap

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 15.85s

(6)

Brave Nation²⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Hogan| T: M L W Bell| OR: 97

20/1

Made all in 5f Doncaster maiden on debut in April and much better than the result when fourth in a messy Norfolk Stakes next time. Rather went backwards thereafter, though, and bit to prove on return.

Form: 1479-

(3)

Tenjin^h¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: A Kirby| T: J Ryan| OR: 95| D

18/1

Kempton nursery winner for Marco Botti in 2022 and fine third starting out for new yard in a Lingfield listed race in March. However, safely held since, including here again on Friday.

Form: 433086

(11)

Shaquille^h¹⁵⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 94| D

11/4

Well-made colt who progressed well last season, making it 3 wins from 4 starts in 8-runner novice event at Wolverhampton (6.1f) in December. Withdrawn after refusing to enter stall at Newcastle on April 7th. Makes handicap debut in a refitted hood and open to further improvement.

Form: 1911-

(10)

Bonny Angel¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Fahy| T: C G Cox| OR: 93| D

16/1

Dual winner as a 2-yo who ran about as well as could be expected when sixth of 16 in listed race at Bath (5f, good to soft) 15 days ago. Step back up in trip will suit but others look better treated on her return to handicap company.

Form: 31168-6

(4)

Washington Heights¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: J P Spencer| T: K A Ryan| OR: 88

8/1

Strong travelling sort who ended last season with a fine third in the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar (6f). Not seen to best effect on reappearance at Thirsk 2 weeks ago having raced on the outer wing on what seemed the worst of the ground, so worth another chance.

Form: 41223-9

(2)

Buccabay¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 87| D

15/2

Much improved from debut when showing a good turn of foot to settle matters in a 6f Ascot maiden last July. Gelded after and shaped encouragingly after 9 months off when third at Kempton (7f) 19 days ago. Makes handicap debut. Remains with potential.

Form: 81-3

(7)

Ferrous¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Connor Beasley| T: J Channon| OR: 82| D

2/1

Built on debut third when winning 10-runner maiden at Doncaster (6f) in November. Took another step forward when edged out only in the final strides by a promising sort on his reappearance at Southwell and shaped better than the bare result on his C&D handicap debut on most recent outing. Player.

Form: 31-26

(1)

Chasseral^h²²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 82| D

11/2

Showed improved form to get off the mark with ease on all-weather debut in 11-runner novice event at Newcastle (6f) in September. That was an ordinary race though, and more required now handicapping after 7 months off.

Form: 3331-

Non-Runners

(8)

Expert Agent²⁹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: K P De Foy J: Daniel Muscutt

(9)

Eminency¹⁷

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: K Shoemark

(5)

Almaty Star¹⁹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: R Varian J: David Egan

Forecasts

Ferrous (2/1), Shaquille (11/4), Eminency (9/2), Chasseral (11/2), Expert Agent (11/2), Almaty Star (6/1), Buccabay (15/2), Washington Heights (8/1), Bonny Angel (16/1), Tenjin (18/1), Brave Nation (20/1)

Plenty with chances but EMINENCY looked extremely unlucky not to win on his reappearance at Kempton 17 days ago and is worth backing to make amends. Expert Agent has done nothing but improve since undergoing a gelding operation and there's no reason why he can't transfer his all-weather form to turf. Ferrous shaped better than the bare result on his C&D handicap debut and completes the shortlist.