16:10 Newbury

Saturday 20 May 2023

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

BetVictor Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 1m 37.56s

(5)

Bless Him^h²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Spencer| T: D M Simcock| OR: 105| D

20/1

Landed Bunbury Cup at Newmarket last July and not seen to best effect after 9 months off when sixth of 10 over C&D (heavy) 28 days ago, having hopeless task from position. Can take a big step forward here.

Form: 37712-6

(6)

Intellogent³²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 105| D

7/1

New stable coaxed him back to his best last term, running crackers under big weights in the Royal Hunt Cup and John Smith's Cup. Good fourth of 7 in Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket (9f, soft) 32 days ago so he's not taken lightly reverted to handicap company.

Form: 23707-4

(8)

Sonny Liston²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 103

18/1

Useful 7f winner at his best for Charlie Hills but he ended 2022 out of sorts, last of 7 in Strensall Stakes at York (9f) in October. Needs to get back on track for his new yard on his handicap debut.

Form: 430379-

(3)

Kingdom Come⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: K Shoemark| T: C G Cox| OR: 102

7/2

Highly progressive 4-y-o who racked up a 7f Kempton AW hat-trick in impressive style last month. Still looks well treated after another 7 lb rise and he's the one to beat with this step up to 1m a plus too.

Form: 87/111

(12)

Alrehb²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: James Doyle| T: K P De Foy| OR: 100| D

18/1

Improved again to bag AW handicaps around 1m at Southwell and Wolverhampton this year. Came in last of 10 on heavy ground over C&D last time though so needs to bounce back.

Form: 223-110

(7)

Atrium²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: C Fellowes| OR: 99| CD

9/2

Three-time winner in 2022, including over C&D, who wasn't discredited when fifth of 10 over C&D 28 days ago, not ideally placed. Needs considering.

Form: 3611-05

(10)

Beringer³⁷¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: A King| OR: 98| D

33/1

Smart colt who shaped as if retaining all his ability after 21 months off when fourth in handicap over C&D. Returns from another lengthy absence now but he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 50227/4-

(13)

Outbreak¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: C Johnston| OR: 97| D

6/1

Got back on the up when comfortably landing 1m handicap at Newmarket 15 days ago. Up 6 lb but he ought to go well again.

Form: 514391

(2)

Unforgotten^b³²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 97| D

10/1

Low-mileage 5-y-o who landed back-to-back 1m Lingfield handicaps in February. Seemed unsuited by the track on his turf debut when last of 13 in handicap at Newmarket (8f, soft) 32 days ago. Sort to bounce back.

Form: 21/1120

(9)

Wanees^h⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 96| D

4/1

Largely progressive sort who scored twice over 1m in 2022. 10/1, seemed unsuited by heavy conditions when twenty first in Lincoln at Doncaster in March. Still has relatively few miles on the clock and remains with potential.

Form: 1/1601-0

(4)

Bear Force One^p¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R A Teal| OR: 93| CD

22/1

Quirky sort but he knuckled down well when scoring at Kempton (1m) in April. Only twelfth back on turf though at Ascot 17 days ago and others appeal more.

Form: 59-7310

(11)

Top Secret^h¹⁸³

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: Georgia Dobie⁽³⁾| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 84| D

16/1

Arrives on a hat-trick after back-to-back 7f/1m wins at Kempton in November. Goes well fresh so he's not discounted off a 4 lb higher mark (including 2 lb out of the handicap).

Form: 050211-

Non-Runners

(1)

Dawn Of Liberation¹⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: R Hannon J: P J Dobbs

Forecasts

Kingdom Come (7/2), Wanees (4/1), Atrium (9/2), Outbreak (6/1), Intellogent (7/1), Unforgotten (10/1), Top Secret (16/1), Sonny Liston (18/1), Alrehb (18/1), Bless Him (20/1), Bear Force One (22/1), Dawn Of Liberation (25/1), Beringer (33/1)

Clive Cox's low-mileage 4-y-o KINGDOM COME still looks well ahead of his mark and with this step up to 1m also a positive he rates a confident choice to land a four-timer. Intellogent is next on the list back in handicap company after his good Earl Of Sefton fourth, with C&D scorer Atrium and the still unexposed Wanees completing the shortlist in a useful handicap.