14:25 Haydock

Saturday 27 May 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3016:1016:45

Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 14:26 | Winning time: 1m 41.44s

(8)

Killybegs Warrior⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: C Johnston| OR: 102

14/1

Dual winner over 7f on the July Course at Newmarket last summer. Even better form in defeat at listed/Group 2 level this year but will require a really smart effort to defy top weight here.

Form: 75-4336

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(7)

Stormbuster¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 97| D

40/1

Won a novice over this trip last autumn. Not up to a couple of Derby trials over 1¼m this spring and now drops back in trip. Opening handicap mark not obviously generous.

Form: 3218-56

(3)

Scholarship^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: C Lee| T: C G Cox| OR: 92| C

33/1

6f course debut winner last May. Back on the up with 7f Newbury handicap win on heavy-ground reappearance but failed to back it up when a well-held third of 4 at Ascot since. Has cheekpieces added now moving up to 1m.

Form: 100-13

(6)

James McHenry¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 91| CD

6/1

Drew a blank in 4 starts at 2 but has very much hit the ground running on return, winning handicaps at Ripon and over C&D. Useful performance when coming from further back than ideal to lead late on here latterly. Even a further 7 lb rise is unlikely to prevent him making bold bid for the hat-trick.

Form: 2324-11

(4)

Covey²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 90

6/4

Promising type who arrives on the back of Newmarket maiden and Newcastle novice wins (both 7f) this spring. Should stay 1m. Exciting prospect who is likely to have a big say on handicap debut.

Form: 211

(1)

Metal Merchant²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J Channon| OR: 90| D

22/1

Novice/nursery winner at 2. Best effort yet when third of 7 in 1m Newmarket handicap 3 weeks ago but even more will be required to come out on top here.

Form: 5115-73

(2)

Gincident²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: N Callan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 89| D

12/1

Improver on AW this winter and has continued to progress back on turf, scoring in good style at Musselburgh (1m, soft) 4 weeks ago. Raised 7 lb but still respected.

Form: 1-13121

(5)

Royal Cape²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: W Buick| T: H Morrison| OR: 88| D

7/1

Gleneagles colt who is going the right way, winning easily at Windsor (1m, heavy) 26 days ago. Interesting recruit to handicaps with William Buick taking the ride.

Form: 9-21

(11)

Defence Of Fort²¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Watson| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 88

16/1

Looked useful prospect when winning novice at Ascot (7f, firm) on debut last summer. Wasn't able to build on that at Group 3 level in 2 subsequent starts, although heavy ground a possible excuse at Newbury latterly. Retains potential now handicapping on return. Has been gelded.

Form: 147-

(10)

Bodorgan²¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Hollie Doyle| T: C Hills| OR: 87

16/1

All 3 outings at over 7f, winning a novice at Newmarket on final one in November. Pitched into a hot race on handicap debut/reappearance but his yard's good form provides hope for better again this year.

Form: 031-

(9)

Just Bring It⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Marco Ghiani| T: C G Cox| OR: 86| D

11/2

Opened his account on 1m Kempton reappearance in March. Got stuck in the mud at Nottingham next time and back on the up when second of 11 at Newmarket (1m, good) last weekend. That looks solid form and he merits plenty of respect for a stable with a good recent record in this.

Form: 553-172

Forecasts

Covey (6/4), Just Bring It (11/2), James McHenry (6/1), Royal Cape (7/1), Gincident (12/1), Killybegs Warrior (14/1), Bodorgan (16/1), Defence Of Fort (16/1), Metal Merchant (22/1), Scholarship (33/1), Stormbuster (40/1)

An opening mark of 90 could easily underestimate the very promising COVEY who can add to his 2 easy wins in maiden/novice company this spring. Clive Cox has won this race twice since 2018 and Just Bring It may provide the chief threat on the back of his fine second at Newmarket last weekend. James McHenry, a good winner over C&D a fortnight ago, and the unexposed Royal Cape complete the shortlist.