16:50 Newmarket

Sunday 7 May 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Howden Handicap

Off time: 16:51 | Winning time: 1m 40.94s

(8)

Hectic¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 93

4/1

Didn't manage to go on after a winning debut last year but, after 8 months off, got back on the up when second on handicap debut at Newbury (7f, heavy) 16 days ago. Showed plenty of speed last time, so task is now to build on that effort upped in trip.

Form: 168-2

(5)

Legend Of Leros²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 92

6/1

Stepped up on his debut effort in no uncertain terms when landing 13-runner maiden at Doncaster (7f, heavy) in October. Similar form when third in minor event at Kempton (1m) on return last month and could have more to offer now handicapping.

Form: 41-3

(6)

Metal Merchant⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J Channon| OR: 90| D

13/2

Novice/nursery winner who found Zetland Stakes company beyond him at this course (1m2f, good) in October. After 5 months off, finished last of 7 in minor event at Kempton (1m) in March, so he has work to do now back in a handicap.

Form: 05115-7

(4)

Dark Thirty¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 89

12/1

Didn't progress as hoped last year having made a winning debut in a Newbury maiden (6f, good) in May. After 6 months off, ran as well as could be expected in listed race at Newcastle last month, but failed to repeat that effort back at Newbury next time.

Form: 3967-74

(1)

Kadovar^t¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 87

85/40

Has left his reappearance effort behind in his 2 subsequent starts, improving once more when opening account in minor event at Epsom (8.5f, heavy) 12 days ago. Is going the right way and can score again back in handicap company.

Form: 926-831

(2)

Saxon King²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: C Hills| OR: 81| D

5/1

Put his experience to good use to open his account at the fourth attempt at Haydock (1m, heavy) last year, making running and proving game. Can give another good account now going handicapping after 6 months off.

Form: 8321-

(10)

Gareeb²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 78| D

10/1

Upped in trip for all-weather/handicap debut after 6 months off, gained her first success in 6-runner contest at Southwell (8.1f) 23 days ago. Better placed than most there but she appeals as the type who could go on improving this year.

Form: 343-1

Non-Runners

(7)

Defence Of Fort¹⁹⁷

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: P W Chapple-Hyam J: L Dettori

(9)

Just Bring It³²

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: Rossa Ryan

(3)

Gulmarg¹⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: S Woods J: Harry Davies

Forecasts

Kadovar (85/40), Hectic (4/1), Saxon King (5/1), Legend Of Leros (6/1), Metal Merchant (13/2), Gulmarg (7/1), Defence Of Fort (15/2), Gareeb (10/1), Dark Thirty (12/1), Just Bring It (12/1)

An open-looking contest, with preference for KADOVAR who continued his improvement this year when getting off the mark in good style at Epsom 12 days ago. He is taken to follow up back in handicap company, though Gulmarg isn't taken lightly after a good third over C&D last month. Legend of Leros is another to consider on his handicap debut.