15:00 Newbury

Saturday 20 May 2023

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:18

BetVictor London Gold Cup Heritage Handicap

Off time: 15:02 | Winning time: 2m 9.47s

(14)

Bold Act³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 103| BF

10/1

Improved again to make it 4 in a row in a valuable conditions race at Chelmsford in April. His winning run came to a halt when only fifth in Newmarket listed race last time and he'll require a really smart effort to defy clear top weight in this very strong handicap.

Form: 2111-15

(10)

Bertinelli²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 99| BF

9/2

AW maiden winner at Dundalk last November who took his form up another notch when second in 1¼m Cork conditions race on his reappearance 29 days ago. Highly likely this well-bred colt from a top stable has more to give.

Form: 21-2

(16)

Exoplanet²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 97| C

5/1

Son of Sea The Stars who looked good when making a winning debut over 7f here last September. Found the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket too much 3 weeks later but quickly back on the up with second to the very promising Military Order in C&D conditions race on reappearance. Much respected.

Form: 16-2

(12)

Royal Rhyme^t¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 95| D

6/1

Going the right way, finding another chunk of improvement when the ready winner of a 1¼m Newmarket handicap (soft) 13 days ago. Handicapper hasn't missed him with a 10 lb rise but this progressive colt remains of interest.

Form: 1-431

(3)

Desert Hero²⁰⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 94

4/1

Plenty of promise at 2, finishing third in Group 3 Solario at Sandown in between novice wins at Haydock (7f, good) and Redcar (9f, soft). This Derby-entered colt can go on to better things this year. High on the shortlist.

Form: 131-

(13)

Mr Mistoffelees³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: H Morrison| OR: 92

33/1

Siyouni colt who progressed nicely last year, culminating with 1m Kempton novice win in December. Beaten 7¾ lengths into sixth but improved again when pitched into the Group 3 Craven on his Newmarket reappearance. Steps up to 1¼m for handicap debut.

Form: 051-6

(5)

Forca Timao¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: K Stott| T: R Hannon| OR: 92

33/1

Left debut behind when 40/1 winner of 7f Doncaster novice last June. Not seen again until 7 lengths fifth of 7 to Castle Way in listed race at Newmarket (1¼m, good) 15 days ago. Entitled to come on for that first outing in 11 months.

Form: 71-5

(4)

Lieber Power⁶⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| BF

15/2

Different proposition on second start when winning 10-runner novice event at Kempton (7f) in October. Possibly needed the run when only sixth of 7 in 1m novice there 5 months later. Still early days and 1¼m will suit on breeding.

Form: 71-6

(9)

Loyal Touch¹⁷³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: L Dettori| T: C Johnston| OR: 90

14/1

Won a Carlisle novice and Kempton handicap (both 1m) as a juvenile. Pedigree suggests there could be more to come now stepping up to 1¼m for reappearance.

Form: 33151-

(2)

Have Secret²²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R A Fahey| OR: 89| D

10/1

Improved with each start last year, winning nurseries over 7f at Haydock (good to firm) and 1¼m at Nottingham (heavy). Another 8 lb higher on reappearance but further progress can't be discounted.

Form: 342131-

(6)

Cool Party¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: F Norton| T: C Johnston| OR: 84

18/1

Won Epsom maiden and a Wolverhampton novice over an extended 1m at 2. Possibly not at home on soft ground when only fifth of 6 to Royal Rhyme on his 1¼m Newmarket handicap debut/reappearance and retains potential.

Form: 211-5

(1)

Old Smoke²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: George Rooke| T: R A Fahey| OR: 82

18/1

Placed first 3 times prior to getting off the mark in 1m Thirsk novice 4 weeks ago. Clear with a subsequent winner on that occasion and appeals as one who could go on to even better things in handicaps. Up in trip.

Form: 3221

(15)

Raintown¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: J S Moore| OR: 79| D

50/1

Enjoyed a productive 2-y-o campaign on the AW, completing the hat-trick in a nursery at Lingfield (1¼m) on New Year's Eve. Off 4 months, seemed ill at ease on the track when only seventh at Goodwood 15 days ago but even his very best form leaves him with a bit to find from 3 lb out of handicap.

Form: 73111-7

(8)

Ithaca's Arrow¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁵⁾| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 79

50/1

From a stable which has enjoyed a cracking spring and he stepped up on his 2-y-o form to win a 1½m Lingfield (AW) novice on his reappearance 16 days ago. Very much enjoyed the run of that race from the front and lot more on his plate now handicapping from out of the weights.

Form: 850-1

Non-Runners

(7)

Silver Sword³²

Weight: 8-2| Age: 3

T: Dylan Cunha J: Greg Cheyne

(11)

Pjanoo²⁵⁴

Weight: 8-2| Age: 3

T: R Spencer J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Desert Hero (4/1), Bertinelli (9/2), Exoplanet (5/1), Royal Rhyme (6/1), Lieber Power (15/2), Bold Act (10/1), Have Secret (10/1), Loyal Touch (14/1), Silver Sword (14/1), Old Smoke (18/1), Cool Party (18/1), Pjanoo (20/1), Forca Timao (33/1), Mr Mistoffelees (33/1), Raintown (50/1), Ithaca's Arrow (50/1)

Nearly always one of the strongest 3-y-o handicaps of the season. DESERT HERO is in the Derby and gets the vote to take his record to 3-4 on his reappearance. Irish-raider Bertinelli is another low-mileage colt with plenty of potential and heads the dangers along with easy Newmarket handicap winner Royal Rhyme. The other Sheikh Mohammed Obaid runner Exoplanet chased home Lingfield Derby Trial winner Military Order on his C&D return and can also figure if stall 16 isn't too troublesome.