20:05 Newmarket

Thursday 18 May 2023

All17:1517:4518:2018:5519:3020:0520:40

Stradivarius At The National Stud Handicap

Off time: 20:05 | Winning time: 2m 7.2s

(4)

Mighty River⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: N Callan| T: J Tate| OR: 86| D

12/1

Novice winner on third start at Wolverhampton in December and went the right way in handicaps during the winter, second of 6 on next 2 starts. Well held back on turf last time but that was on heavy ground.

Form: 13-1226

(3)

Connemara Coast²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: David Probert| T: R Hughes| OR: 84

5/2

Well-bred gelding who was off the mark at the second attempt at Wolverhampton in October and not seen to best effect both starts this term, very much catching the eye when second here (1m) on handicap bow last month, running on from the rear after meeting trouble. Bred to stay and can go one better.

Form: 31-52

(5)

Pol Roger¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Phil Dennis| T: M Dods| OR: 83

16/1

Won novice events at Haydock and Thirsk in August but underperformed at Musselburgh on return and never dangerous at Haydock since.

Form: 1120-57

(2)

Cavern Club^p¹⁵⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: M Botti| OR: 81

16/1

Improved when making a winning nursery debut at Kempton in this headgear in December, still looking very raw once in front. May do better still assuming he keeps his quirks in check.

Form: 2331-

(9)

Mindset²¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: M L W Bell| OR: 80

10/1

Still green when getting off the mark at the second attempt at Beverley last year and showed improved form when third under a penalty in 7f novice at this course in October. Can't be discounted now stepping up in trip on handicap bow/return.

Form: 713-

(8)

Power Of Gold¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 78

5/2

Stepped up on 2-y-o form when third at Redcar on handicap bow 2 weeks ago, staying on well from off the pace. Form has been boosted since so needs considering.

Form: 237-3

(7)

Fox Journey¹⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 76

9/2

Similar form in novice/maiden events in the autumn. Will be suited by 1¼m and type to do better at 3 yrs.

Form: 644-

(1)

Muir Wood¹⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 75

8/1

Improved in each of his 3 starts as a juvenile, ending campaign with fairly-useful second of 10 in novice event at Lingfield (10f, AW) in December. Warrants respect on return.

Form: 642-

(6)

Rhythm And Tyne^p1¹⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Ray Dawson| T: T Kent| OR: 71

28/1

Similar form in AW maiden/novice events at Dundalk for Mick Halford. Subsequently gelded and may do better now qualified for handicaps in first-time headgear for new yard.

Form: 8-49

Forecasts

Connemara Coast (5/2), Power Of Gold (5/2), Fox Journey (9/2), Muir Wood (8/1), Mindset (10/1), Mighty River (12/1), Cavern Club (16/1), Pol Roger (16/1), Rhythm And Tyne (28/1)

CONNEMARA COAST would have gone close to making a winning handicap bow here (1m) last month had he not met trouble so tops the shortlist with the extra distance unlikely to be a problem. Power of Gold also showed improved form switched to handicaps on return when third at Redcar and that form has taken a boost since, while Fox Journey is a potential improver from the Sir Michael Stoute yard.